Crossword Genius

For Jackman, half staff in race? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

human

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'for jackman' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'half staff in race?' is the wordplay.
'half' indicates taking half.
'staff' becomes 'mace' (a mace is a ceremonial staff or stick).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'race?' becomes 'hun' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'mace' with half the letters taken is 'ma'.
'ma' placed within 'hun' is 'HUMAN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for human that I've seen before include "Relating to mankind" , "Anthropoid" , "Mortal; compassionate" , "Relating to a person" , "Of the species of homo sapiens" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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