MacDonald shows future in safe hands

Leon MacDonald

The occasional snap-hook in his pre-match kicks at goal might have left more than a few observers looking on a little nervously - but they needn't have worried.

From the moment Leon MacDonald landed a fifth-minute sideline conversion, the makeshift first five-eighths took control and looked like an old pro - certainly not a man playing his first test in the No 10 jumper.

That's what you get with MacDonald. Among a side of immensely talented players with a liking for high-risk rugby, MacDonald is a steady influence, and he did it last night in the most crucial of positions, illustrating exactly why he was preferred over the precocious talent of Luke McAlister in what amounted to a Tri Nations decider.

It was certainly a much more successful experiment than the failed one of 2003 when he was tried at centre, a position he's less familiar with than first five-eighths, where he played his rugby as a youngster. And it was highlighted by a 21st-minute try when he popped up on the shoulder of Piri Weepu to run in unopposed. Even the touchdown, when a smile was missing from his face, was cool, calm and collected.

There was just one blight on his copybook, a clearing kick charged down by Ricky Januarie which the lively Springboks halfback regathered to score.

You could almost forgive him for dallying, despite the importance of the score, as it was only moments after he had emerged from a ruck holding his neck, the wind seemingly having been taken out of his sails.

The 27-year-old Cantabrian completed the night with a personal haul of 14 points - a try, a penalty and three conversions - but it was his all-round play that caught the eye, that Januarie charge-down excepted.

He ran with purpose, passed intelligently and kicked the corners when he needed to and missed only one kick at goal when South Africa were mounting great pressure with the All Blacks leading 21-20.

He needed to mix it up against South Africa's umbrella defence to keep the visitors guessing and, even though it came to nothing, a 20th-minute grubber kick through was a good illustration of his control and good decision-making.

He was certainly aided by halfback Weepu, who played with poise beyond his four tests' experience.

The Weepu-MacDonald combination was not one many would have predicted at the start of the season, with Dan Carter and Byron Kelleher seemingly setting up shop. But it showed just how astute Graham Henry is in saying New Zealand rugby needs depth in each position if they are to win the 2007 World Cup in France.

There were a few eyebrows raised when MacDonald was replaced by McAlister in the 69th minute with the All Blacks trailing by three points.

McAlister provided a spark in the backline when Henry's side needed to try something different, and he landed the conversion that made the game safe.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY