MacDonald: It's not finished yet [Nelson Mail]
Leon MacDonald's clearly not experiencing any lingering pangs of regret.
Late last year, MacDonald confirmed that he wouldn't be applying for the vacant Crusaders' assistant coach's role, opting instead to continue his association with Tasman Makos head coach Kieran Keane for another season.
Now, after a record-breaking year for the fledgling Tasman side, their supporters would call MacDonald's decision an inspired one as he and Keane finalise their preparations for Saturday's ITM Cup championship semifinal against Southland in Blenheim.
Tasman's eight win-two loss record, including the scalps of three premiership teams and a record 64-28 win over Waikato, already point to the most successful season in the union's brief eight-year history. For Blenheim-born MacDonald though, his decision to return as Keane's sidekick for a fourth season was relatively straightforward.
"We had unfinished business," said MacDonald.
"We knew that the group was growing and things were starting to happen last year. We got some good results, we played some good rugby and it was a continuation of that really.
"So I felt like we had a bit of a vision for the team and we aren't at the finish line yet. So yeah, there were enough reasons to stick around, that's for sure."
Despite some scratchy moments, notably an inexplicable loss to bottom-placed North Harbour, it's been a satisfying experience for the 35-year-old former All Black to see Tasman secure their first ever home semifinal.
"The last three weeks, we've had a lot of games and our first focus was to try and get into the semis and then just try and secure a home one. So now we're home, it's been all go again.
"Kieran and I have worked some pretty long days the past few days to make sure that we get a good game plan in place for the weekend and that we do everything right to prepare guys for the semifinal."
MacDonald admitted there had been some frustrating moments this season but that the team's record ultimately spoke for itself.
"We've had our flat moments like every other team has. Wellington's lost to Hawke's Bay and Auckland's lost to Otago, so nobody's immune to [bad performances].
"I think probably one of the bonuses of this year is [that] we've been more consistent than we ever have. Sure, we've had a few lacklustre halves and flat patches, but I think generally, our play's been good for the majority of games."
With Saturday's sudden-death playoff looming, MacDonald felt that the team still hadn't fully realised its potential.
"I think our best performance this year would have been [against] Waikato. We prepared really well and people's head spaces were right and [that translated to] a performance that we were really proud of.
"Since then, we haven't quite hit that high again but that's what we're striving for and we know it's in there. It's just about everybody being on the right page and getting their heads right and then putting it all together in a performance."
He said that a critical part of this year's success had been the influence of players like hooker Quentin MacDonald, lock Joe Wheeler - both of whom celebrated 50-game milestones - and new captain, flanker Shane Christie.
"The core group's been together now for a few years and I think that's been the key. We've had some real growth in leaders and guys like Quentin MacDonald and Joe Wheeler, they were the lads that provided the fun and entertainment in previous years and now they provide the steel and the direction.
"So these guys have matured into fantastic leaders.
"Shane's turned into a really good leader in his first year as captain and I think that's been the biggest shift."
As for Southland, MacDonald wasn't expecting anything other than a full-blown Stags assault.
"They'll be physical, the forwards will be looking to gain parity with our forward pack and provide a lot of go-forward, and they'll be passionate, because they're from Southland.
"They'll be coming up and giving it everything they've got and then we'll have a beer afterwards, because that's just the way they operate."
He acknowledged there will be pressure on both teams, something that, in Tasman's case, his and Keane's cumulative experience would hopefully help to alleviate.
"Kieran's been around rugby a long time and I've been involved in a few big games, so we sort of know what to expect and how it needs to be handled, so we're more excited than anything."
And a big home-town response at Lansdowne Park would unquestionably help Tasman's chances.
"I really hope we get a good crowd there. To have a big crowd behind us and getting vocal and creating a little cauldron is tough for a touring team and that's what we really want."
