MacDonald ready for game of his life

A FEW months ago, Leon MacDonald hardly dared imagine he would be in New Zealand’s World Cup squad, never mind heading into their biggest game of the tournament so far holding down a position he has not played since junior rugby.

The 25-year-old was seriously concussed during the Crusaders’ Super 12 campaign and was still not fully fit when the international season began with a Test against England in June.

He slowly worked his way back into the frame and featured in the All Blacks’ final Tri-Nations game, the Bledisloe Cup victory over Australia in Auckland.