Mackey first became part of the Philippines national rugby league system in 2014, when he was selected to represent the Philippines in the Cabramatta Nines tournament.

Two years later, in February 2016, he made his international debut, helping his team defeat Serbia by two points in Sydney.

On the back of these two successful stints, the outside back from Ulladulla, was selected in the squad to battle Hungary and Thailand – with both matches played in Thailand.

“This year’s tour side was made up of guys from Australia, New Zealand the United Kingdom and for the first time ever, we had the inclusion of two local players from the Manila Storm, one of the domestic teams in the Philippines,” Mackey said.

“There are a lot of talented players eligible to play for the Philippine Tamaraws, so I am very grateful that I was selected for this tour.

“This Thailand tour was the best experience I have had with the this national team so far.

“Spending a full seven days together as a squad and doing everything together from meals and training to the post match celebration – you really get to know one another and form strong bonds.

“As opposed to the Serbia test, which was a two day camp before game day and the Cabramatta Nines, where you kind of just turn up and play.

“An important part of the tour was to visit schools in rural Thailand to help promote the game of rugby league.

“We visited two elementary schools and one high school, spending time with the students and putting together a few drills and games to help them learn the basic skills of the game.

“A lot of these kids had never so much as seen an oval shaped ball before and the response we got from them was unreal.

“These kids were among the most cheerful I have ever seen.

“Working with them was a very humbling experience and unlike anything I’ve done before.”

Mackey, 23, and his Philippines side won both games in Thailand convincingly – 70-nil against Hungary and 64-2 against Thailand – with Mackey playing strongly in both encounters.

“In the games, I was really surprised with how well we all clicked come game time, with only a few training sessions together as a full squad under our belt before we played our first Test,” he said.

“But to hold Hungary to nil was a big effort from everyone out there.

“Our game against Thailand was far from our best football – we gave away a few silly penalties in defence with emotions running high.

“A few mistakes with the football didn’t help either, but we managed to compose ourselves and finish strong.

“Personally, I could probably have done with a few more conditioning sessions in preparation for the tour – it’s so humid over there and that thick, warm air is a lot different to what I’m used to playing/training in.

“But overall I’m happy with my performance over the two tests.

“I was fortunate to be playing centre on our left edge, where we had a lot of good attacking opportunities, so I was able to bag a few tries.

“Scoring my first try for the Philippines was an awesome feeling.”

As such, Mackey ranks this tour as one of his top career highlights to date.

“I see playing for the Philippines as my highest honour in football,” he said.

“Rugby league isn’t huge in the Philippines, with the first domestic competition only just kicking off last year.

“But to represent an entire nation on the field and to see the Philippines slowly climb the ladder in the world rugby league rankings is very exciting and something that I’m proud to be a part of.

“Every time I get the chance to run out in the Tamaraw jersey is such an emotional experience.

“My mother isn’t the biggest fan of footy but I know how proud it makes her seeing me embrace the culture and play for her homeland.

“When I put that jersey on I play for my mum and family in Bacolod City, Philippines.”

Mackey’s next chance to represent his national side will be in November 2018 at the Emerging Nations World Cup, in Sydney,

“We are aiming to put our strongest possible side together for the tournament as it is a huge opportunity for the Philippines to compete against other tier two and tier three nations,” he said.

“Performing well at the emerging nations would be a massive step forward for us, so that’s where our sights are set.”