The cousin of former Magpies hooker Jesse MacDonald and former Crusaders rake Quentin MacDonald, Elkington-MacDonald, 24, would have been excused if he contemplated, earlier this season, he was going to go without ITM Cup play again this year. He collected a serious knee injury during the first 10 minutes of the first round of the Nash Cup, when playing for his Napier Old Boys Marist club. Elkington-MacDonald didn't return to the field again until the first round of the Maddison Trophy and he aggravated the same injury just before halftime. He didn't play again until rounds four and five.
"The strength is back in the knee and I'm confident I will go well this week," he said.
"I'm hoping I get some game time outside my clubmate and flatmate [Ellery Wilson who is on the Magpies subs bench] as we have a pretty good combination. It's been pretty cool working on a combination with Chris too," Elkington-MacDonald said referring to Magpies halfback Chris Eaton, who will captain the hosts tomorrow.
Elkington-MacDonald had three years in the Marlborough Boys' College 1st XV and, for the first two, was coached by former Magpies mentor Kieran Keane. He then spent four years at university in Christchurch, where he completed a marketing degree. While in Canterbury, Elkington-MacDonald played in the Canterbury Colts team, which was coached by Magpies head coach Craig Philpott, and in 2013 he played two pre-season games for the Crusaders.
Even with several second and third stringers, the Magpies should record a comfortable win tomorrow. Wairarapa Bush were beaten 17-12 by Wanganui in their rehearsal.
Bush coach Josh Syms has opted to stick with players from within his province apart from Hutt Old Boys Marist prop Rei Manaia.
Former West Coast first five-eighth Tim Priest will captain the visitors from pivot in his first-class debut for Wairarapa Bush.
Teams for the 2.35pm match:
Hawke's Bay: Zac Guildford, Mason Emerson, Jonah Lowe, Billy Ropiha, Shannan Chase, Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald, Chris Eaton (captain), Joseph Penitito, Tom Stanley, Tony Lamborn (vice captain), Sanaila Waqa, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Jarvy Aoake, Jorian Tangaere, Tolu Fahamokioa.
Substitutes: Forwards, Mike Sosene-Feagai, Jason Long, Mark Braidwood, Everard Reid, Brendon O'Connor; backs, Ellery Wilson, Ihaia West, Ted Walters.
Wairarapa Bush: Corey McFadzean, Ryan Saunders, Matthew Dalley, Byron Karaitiana, Nick Olson, Tim Priest (captain), Cody Whittaker, Johnie McFadzean, James Goodger, BJ Campbell, Andrew McLean, Lachie McFadzean, Rei Manaia, Hamish Forrester, Kurt Simmonds.
Substitutes: Forwards, Cody Thompson, Lance Graves, Jacko Hull, Gareth Van Dalen, Brock Price; backs, Inia Katia, Tipene Haira, Paula Tikomainavalu
