He was a well known and loved local rugby icon but was also a teacher at Thames High School from 1956 to 1983.
He was known as an avid reader and his athletic achievements are still on record in the Thames High School hall and the new gymnasium is named in his honour.
A wing three-quarter, McLean represented Auckland and King Country at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1947 to 1949.
He played five matches for the All Blacks including two internationals, both of which were against Australia.
[3] McLean played on the wing in Bradford Northern's 6–13 defeat by Wigan in the Championship Final during the 1951–52 season at Leeds Road, Huddersfield on Saturday 10 May 1952.