Rugby: Australia rocked by Mackay's death

CANBERRA - Grief counselling will be offered to shattered players and officials coming to grips with the death of popular Brumbies rugby union forward Shawn Mackay.

The 26-year-old passed away in a Durban hospital around 1pm NZT on Monday, having suffered a cardiac arrest as the result of a blood infection.

He'd been critically ill after sustaining multiple injuries on March 29 when he was hit by an armed response car outside the front of a Durban nightclub.

Brumbies coach Andy Friend had the difficult task of breaking the news of Mackay's death to his teammates when they landed at Sydney Airport on Monday afternoon following their Super 14 matches in South Africa.

Friend emerged briefly and alone from immigration in Sydney to speak to the waiting media.

"It is the worst possible news," Friend said.

"It's fair to say that we are all in shock and we have taken the news very, very hard."

It was an equally sombre mood as the group arrived back in the nation's capital, with most of the players' heads down and many wearing sunglasses as they filed into a momentarily silent Canberra Airport.

Waiting for their baggage, players embraced each other and club officials.

Young five-eighth Matt Toomua appeared particularly hard hit, crying as walked through the airport.

ARU boss John O'Neill said the peak body and the Brumbies would offer whatever support was necessary to those affected by the tragedy.

"Counselling in any form of grievance counselling that we can provide, we are providing," O'Neill said.

"These are pretty tough times, it's not something anyone ever prepares you for, but the rugby community and the rugby family and the ARU and the ACT Rugby Union have come together in a way that will ensure that the players are attended to with the best possible support we can provide."

O'Neill said Mackay had been "an inspirational coach" of the Australian women's sevens team and was a "great leader" and "great mentor".

Friend read from a prepared statement, paying tribute to a footballer who was popular on and off the field.

"When we left South Africa we all hoped that Macca would recover quickly and would be joining us home in a matter of weeks," he said.

"To hear that the blood infection has led to a cardiac arrest and has taken his life is very hard for us to reconcile.

"Shawn Mackay was an outstanding person. When we recruited Macca to the Brumbies we did so for his character as much as for his outstanding rugby skills.

"He was generous, he was warm, he was funny and an enthusiastic player.

"He had the respect of everybody at the Brumbies and everybody in Australian rugby.

"His passing is a tragedy."

Morgan Turinui, a close friend of Mackay who'd served as best man at the Reds centre's wedding, was too distraught to speak to media on Monday.

Wallaby lock Nathan Sharpe said it was a tough day for everyone.

"It is a black day in Australian rugby and Australian sport generally. For a tragedy like that to happen is terrible," Sharpe said.

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting, in South Africa with the national team, passed on the side's condolences after he'd spent time with Brumbies players and Mackay's parents over the weekend.

News of Mackay's death came as a particular shock after some positive signs a few days after the accident.

He had been brought out of a medically induced coma last week following a spinal operation.

But Mackay developed an infection in his bloodstream and his condition deteriorated rapidly on Monday morning South African time.

Mackay had been admitted to St Augustine's Hospital with a cervical spinal fracture and dislocation, a fractured skull as well as a broken leg and multiple facial fractures after being struck by the vehicle.

South African police have previously stated the driver of the vehicle which struck Mackay may be charged with reckless and negligent driving.

The incident occurred about 4.15am Durban time when Mackay and a number of other Brumbies were leaving a nightclub, having wound down after their Super 14 loss to the Sharks the previous evening.

- AAP