MacDonald fired up for first shield challenge

IF the script played out as first planned, Jesse MacDonald would be preparing to line up for Tasman B against Southland B in Nelson tomorrow.

Instead the 28yearold will today play in his first Ranfurly Shield challenge, six years after his Mitre 10 Cup debut.

And that Ranfurly Shield debut will come via the Southland Stags, despite MacDonald just three weeks ago being aligned to Tasman.

He was ranked Tasman’s thirdstring hooker this season and game time for him had to come through the Tasman B team.

However, down south Southland had injury troubles in its hooking ranks during the first half of the season, which prompted the call to MacDonald.

When Andrew Ready injured his knee against Counties, the Stags requested MacDonald’s services in Invercargill and an agreement was reached.

MacDonald has been introduced from the bench in Southland’s past two outings but now has been handed the start against Waikato in Hamilton today, in what has been a whirlwind few weeks.

‘‘This is my first challenge, so I’m pretty stoked. I can’t wait,’’ he said.

As well as playing for Tasman at Mitre 10 Cup level, MacDonald also spent two years with Hawkes Bay.

Hawkes Bay won the Ranfurly Shield during his time with the Magpies but MacDonald was not involved in a playing capacity.

In fact that pretty much sums up his provincial career; the Blenheim born and bred hooker has spent most of it on the fringes.

Previously he has shared the Tasman hooking duties with his brother Quentin, and this year he has had Andrew Makalio and Ray Niuia ahead of him.

Given those hookers have migrated from Auckland and North Harbour, the situation had frustrated MacDonald, who was a Marlborough boy at heart.

"It’s really frustrating, they’d rather get people in than stay with the locals. Most locals are frustrated, but it is what it is.’’

When asked if his stay in Southland could become an extended one, MacDonald said he was not sure of his plans just yet.

"Nothing [sorted] at the moment. I was thinking this would be my last year, because back home is a bit of a muckaround,’’ he said.

MacDonald has had to quickly scrub up on the Stags systems, in particular the lineout calls.

He regards lineout throwing as his strength and that was highlighted in his first two out ings in maroon.

His rapidfire introduction to Southland has been made that bit easier, considering he knew flanker Tony Lamborn well from their days playing at Hawkes Bay.

The two are now flatting together in Invercargill.

MacDonald also knew prop Reuben Northover, who has also previously been part of the Tasman setup.

‘‘[The Stags] are a good bunch of guys, good people. It’s pretty much like home, just a wee bit bigger. I’m enjoying it heaps.’’

He will enjoy it even more if he gets to experience the euphoria of a Ranfurly Shield victory with Southland today.

‘‘Being underdogs you never know. Underdogs can come through and win it.