Career
He primarily plays as a hooker, though he has also played as property McCartney currently plays for Irish provincial team Connacht in the Pro12. McCartney"s nickname, "Freak," comes from his strength in the gym.
New Zealand
= Provincial McCartney started his professional rugby career in 2007, starting an Non-Player Character game for North Harbour against Thames Valley, while on loan.
Weeks later, McCartney made his debut for Auckland. McCartney made a total of 94 appearances for Auckland between 2007 and 2014, scoring five tries.
In his final season, McCartney was the province"s most capped player and captained the side. = Super Rugby In 2008 McCartney was given a place in the Blues squad, making his debut from the bench in a match against the Chiefs.
In April 2009, McCartney made his first start for the team, this coming against the Queensland Reds.
McCartney made 64 appearances for the Blues and scored two tries, before leaving for Ireland in 2014. Connacht
In 2014, McCartney signed a three-year deal with Irish provincial side Connacht. Auckland were knocked out in the semi-finals of the competition on 18 October, and McCartney made his debut for Connacht on 21 November, coming on as a replacement against Zebre in the 2014-2015 Pro12.
McCartney made a further 14 appearances in the league all of them coming as starts.
He made his European debut on 6 December 2014 against Bayonne in the 2014-2015 Challenge Cup, and made three more appearances in the competition, all of them starts. McCartney also started in Connacht"s final game of the season, a play-off with Gloucester for entry to the 2015-2016 Champions Cup, which Connacht lost after extra time.
