Injury opens door for MacDonald [Stuff]

All of a sudden, Tasman hooker Quentin MacDonald is a key figure for the Blues in Super Rugby.

With James Parson's neck complaint keeping him out for the next two weeks and All Blacks veteran Keven Mealamu causing concern after limping off early in the gritty 18-17 win over the Stormers last Friday, MacDonald may be last man standing in the Blues' hooking stocks.

That doesn't do the nuggety rake justice, but he is keen to take his chance however it comes.

At this stage, with converted prop Tom McCartney the only other cover in the squad, MacDonald looks likely to wear the No 2 jersey on Saturday night against the Rebels in Auckland.

"I thought Quentin was outstanding," Blues coach John Kirwan said of the hooker's 57-minute cameo against the Stormers.

"He came on and really stood up in a difficult situation," Kirwan said.

MacDonald transferred from the Crusaders, where he spent the past three years stuck behind Corey Flynn - this is the chance the 24-year-old has been waiting for.

"It was a good opportunity to come up here with all the new coaching staff and new players. I didn't expect to start," MacDonald said. "I wanted to work my way into the team. I knew when Kevy came back it would be difficult and James has been playing really well. I've just had to bide my time and train hard.

"I didn't expect Kevy's calf to tighten up. I seem to get a bit more game time against the Africans. You get a bit bashed up. They are big, physical men. I just had to make the most of my chance."

MacDonald has made four appearances this season but only secured one start, in the defeat to the Bulls. He is fizzing for another crack.

"It could open the door," he said.

"I had a couple of chances early on and then Kevy came back and pushed me out. It will be a big couple of weeks. The way it's going hopefully I'll get a bit more game time and keep those boys honest."

Blenheim-born MacDonald could add a different dimension to the Blues and he showed against the Stormers that he won't be overawed by any opposition.

In 44 games for Tasman, his ball-playing skills and roaming abilities have been prevalent. That style of play should only add to the Blues' strengths.

"It was all new coming here," he said. "The culture and team environment is pretty strong. You can see with our performances we are playing hard for each other. People can see that. They want to come out and watch that."

Living with Waikato second five-eighth Jackson Willison helped MacDonald adjust to big-city life and if he can stake a claim this week he will feel all the more comfortable in Auckland.

"That was the biggest thing I was nervous about," he said.

"It was a big change of pace. I was in Christchurch during the earthquake, so it slowed up there. Coming up here was a pretty big eye-opener." Fairfax