If they're looking for a hooker, here's an idea . . . [Nelson Mail]
New Zealand rugby is apparently light on quality hookers.
Andrew Hore's retirement and Keven Mealamu's ongoing calf muscle issues have suddenly elevated Dane Coles to the status of Mr Indispensable. Lose Coles to injury over the coming months and the All Blacks are likely to be seriously exposed in one of their more critical areas.
The Highlanders' Liam Coltman and Chiefs' rake Nathan Harris are the newest entries on New Zealand rugby's endangered species list and are now potentially - and almost by default - about to be cast into the international rugby cauldron.
It's a situation that's probably got a lot of diehard Tasman Makos' supporters scratching their heads and mumbling about the objectivity of representative team selections.
There's a nuggety young rake currently bounding about the Irish countryside - name of Quentin MacDonald - who did a good job in Tasman's No 2 jersey during last season's successful ITM Cup campaign.
In one breath, good enough to have represented New Zealand Maori and both the Crusaders and Blues Super 15 franchises, then deemed not adequate enough to be rated among the country's top 10 or so hookers, MacDonald's currently persona non grata in New Zealand rugby circles. Instead, he's headed to Cork to help ease some front row injury concerns for two-time Heineken Cup champions Munster.
He'll supposedly be back early next month to rejoin his Central club for the final stages of the Bayleys Tasman Trophy competition before embarking on Tasman's premiership campaign in this year's ITM Cup.
The irony of MacDonald's situation won't be lost on Tasman supporters at least. After arguably his best season in a Makos jersey - named the team's player of the year - the 25-year-old hooker was unceremoniously cast onto the Super 15 scrap heap.
Anecdotal evidence suggests there's a perception that his wide-ranging style of play doesn't suit Super rugby's more traditional, tighter game. If that's the case, he may have unjustly become a victim of the Makos' up-tempo, attacking approach.
Players adapt to the style and approach relevant to each team situation. It's hard to imagine MacDonald not playing an integral role in the Makos' team setup or that he couldn't adopt a much tighter mindset should the need arise. It's horses for courses and MacDonald's got a fair few furlongs left in him yet.
Veteran Crusaders' hooker Corey Flynn's heading to France, so who knows, maybe a spot will open up once again for MacDonald at the Christchurch-based franchise.
And with younger brother Jesse joining him in this year's Makos' squad, MacDonald might find the extra motivation he needs to force some selectors' hands.
- The Nelson Mail
