His last first class rugby union match in New Zealand was for Auckland against the All Blacks in 1905 as they prepared for a short tour of Australia.

Mackrell, along with Newton team mates Harold Rowe and William Trevarthan, was selected for the professional All Blacks in their 1907-1908 tour of Great Britain and Australia.

When he returned to New Zealand, Mackrell was involved in establishing the Newton Rangers rugby league club.

[3] He also played in the first ever provincial game of rugby league in New Zealand, helping Auckland defeat Wellington 16-14 on 24 August 1908.

Mackrell died in Auckland on 15 July 1917 as a result of a paralytic seizure, five days before his 36th birthday and was buried at Waikaraka Cemetery in Onehunga (Area 2, Block N, Plot 085A).