Background
McAtamney was born in Middlemarch, New Zealand and educated at Saint Kevin"s College, Oamaru where he played rugby for the school.
McAtamney was born in Middlemarch, New Zealand and educated at Saint Kevin"s College, Oamaru where he played rugby for the school.
McAtamney played for the Strath Taieri club and represented Otago (in the playing position of lock) from 1954 until 1957. He played for the South Island team in 1956 and was a New Zealand trialist in 1956 and 1957. He played in a New Zealand XV in 1955.
McAtamney had played for Otago as a lock but he was selected for the s in 1956 as a property
He played against the Springboks in their 1956 tour and he was selected again in 1957 for the tour of Australia of that year. In all he played eight matches for the s, including one international.
He was a member of the s in 1956 and 1957, playing in the prop position.
