The 34-year-old Australian has 10 siblings. Nine brothers. One sister.
None of them went hungry. But just getting to the dinner table was a contest when he grew up.
And leftovers — forget about it.
But the former Brumbies loose forward flourished in what he described as a "busy, fun and very tight-knit family" and went on to forge an interesting and varied professional career before taking up a role as the Otago defence coach this year.
"I’ve had some really special coaches throughout my career and I always wanted to coach," he said.
"I love rugby and I love being in a team and being a role model.
"I think a coach has the ability to help young men and young women develop into their best self."
The former under-20 Australian representative got his start in professional rugby with the Waratahs in 2010.
He had an early injury setback and missed a year and then made the move to the Western Force in 2012 for two years.
The hard-working No 8 caught the attention of the Brumbies and spent a year in Canberra playing for them.
He was not getting the opportunities he was hoping for, though.
"I was 23 or 24 and I needed to play more footy.
"So the decision was to go over to the UK and it was probably the best decision I made because instead of having 10 to 15 games a year, you got 40 to 50 games of rugby a year and that’s where I learned the most about rugby."
He signed with the London Welsh for the 2014-15 season and then shifted to the Leicester Tigers under the tutelage of Aaron Mauger and Scott Hansen.
He made 47 appearances for the Tigers before rejoining the Brumbies from 2018 to 2020.
He had a short stint in Japan and then signed a three-year deal with the Austin Gilgronis in Major League Rugby.
In 2022 the Gilgronis folded due to financial reasons and McCaffrey was left out of a job and out of pocket.
"I didn’t get a cent of that moving forward and my three-year contract just disappeared.
"I could have looked to keep playing elsewhere, but, mate, I was ready to coach.
"I got more satisfaction and drive out of coaching and game plans and detail than I did out of playing. So I thought it was a good opportunity to swap hats and start my coaching journey."
He coached a club side before one of the many connections he made during in his diverse rugby career paid off.
"I had been looking to come and work in New Zealand and Dave Dillon, the Highlanders defence coach, who I knew through Aaron Mauger and a few other people, actually texted me to apply.
"So I applied and went from there.
"I’m extremely grateful for people like Scott Hanson, Aaron Mauger and Dave Dillon, who have answered any question I’ve ever asked.
"They’ve been hugely supportive of me as a young coach coming through the ranks."
McCaffrey’s stint in Dunedin will be brief. He is joining the Waratahs for the next Super Rugby season.
"Yeah, mate, really excited post-NPC to join up with Dan McKellar and the team there.
"I’ve obviously watched the Waratahs abroad, and they’re doing some really exciting things at the moment, and it’s an extremely talented group of players to work with, which excites me."
He also gets to return home to Sydney, where his wife Tash is expecting the couple’s third child. Their oldest daughter Harper is 5 and Mia is 2.
He will be responsible for defence at the Waratahs. But more immediately he will be responsible for the defensive effort against Bay of Plenty in Dunedin on Sunday.
Otago has had a mixed start to the NPC.
They followed up a disappointing 22-13 loss to Southland with a 27-25 win against Auckland.
The Steamers have won all three of their games and have set the early benchmark.
"I’ve been really impressed with their style of game and they’ve got some really smart, attacking, skilful individuals.
"I think for us this week it’s just about focusing on ourself, getting better and being ready for what Bay of Plenty throw at us Sunday arvo."
