MacDonald takes up French contract

A familiar face will be missing from the middle of the Tasman Makos’ front row when the national provincial rugby championship kicks off next month.

Quentin MacDonald, a fixture in the Makos since making his debut in 2008, has accepted a twoyear contract to play for French club Oyonnax.

It will be the second overseas stint for the 27 year-old who played for Irish club Munster in 2014. That year, he was unable to lock down a contract with the Blues, who he represented in 2013, and decided to look abroad for career options.

A similar situation arose during the June Super Rugby break this season. MacDonald tried to broker a deal for 2017 with the Blues, who he played for during this season’s campaign, but came away emptyhanded, leaving the former New Zealand Maori hooker’s future up in the air.

‘‘I talked to the [Blues] coaches and they couldn’t promise me anything,’’ said MacDonald. ‘‘I could have stayed and played [NPC rugby] but with nothing guaranteed for next season I thought I had better go somewhere else. Fortunately, the offer from Oyonnax came in at the right time.’’

The town of Oyonnax is situated close to Lyon, near the Swiss border. Its rugby club has a 107-year history. They have competed in the French Top 14 competition since the 2012-13 season but were relegated after finishing bottom of the table in 2015-16. Among their playing roster are a couple of familiar faces, former Highlanders’ lock Fetu’u Vainikolo and Blues No 8 Viliami Ma’afu, while Piri Weepu was at the club last season.

MacDonald flew out of New Zealand on Friday. He will be joined in Europe by partner Sophie Smith, who is eight months pregnant, and 17 month-old daughter Charlie, after the birth of their second child.

As well as earning 78 caps for the Makos, MacDonald has represented three of the five New Zealand Super Rugby franchises.