MacDonald gets nod

Another very fruitful year in the coaching ranks has earned Leon MacDonald rugby’s individual nomination for the 2017 Marlborough Sports Awards.

The Tasman Makos head coach and assistant coach with the Crusaders enjoyed plenty of success in both roles.

The 39-year-old guided the Makos to a place in the 2016 and 2017 Mitre 10 Cup premiership finals, tipping over a formidable Taranaki side in New Plymouth semifinals on both occasions to earn a shot at the title decider. Although they lost to Canterbury in Christchurch, the team showed enough over the past two seasons to underline their growing presence as a major force in NZ rugby.

At the Crusaders, a team MacDonald helped to unprecedented success during his playing days, he adopted more of a back seat role but was instrumental in helping them clinch the 2017 Super Rugby title.

They went close to an unbeaten season, losing only once in the round robin stages.

However they put that behind them to down the Highlanders and the Chiefs at home in the play-offs, then travelled to South Africa for a difficult final against Lions.

The team were fully tested, but came through 25-17 to bring the franchise their eighth Super Rugby crown.

His nomination is sponsored by Wadsco Motorworld.