Leon MacDonald excited by NZ U20 challenge [Fairfax]
A veteran of 56 All Blacks tests, Leon MacDonald has tackled his share of international opponents.
But from next week he will face a new challenge, when he and fellow coaches Chris Boyd and Scott Robertson attempt to steer the New Zealand under-20 side to a World Cup title on home soil.
The Kiwis open their IRB world championship campaign against Western Samoa at North Harbour Stadium on Monday and the 36-year-old MacDonald can't wait for the tournament to get under way.
"It'll be good. It's on Sky TV and NZ Rugby are pushing it hard. We haven't won [the cup] for quite a few years [2011], so there's a bit of pressure on the team to try and win at home. It'll be all go."
The Junior All Blacks have been in Mt Maunganui at their third pre-tournament camp for the past week, playing two regional development teams before heading to their cup base in Auckland today.
MacDonald said while their buildup wasn't as extensive as some of their rivals, it was starting to come together.
"A lot of the other teams have been together for several months. I think England would have had eight or nine games before they get to us, so we are trying to do it all in this camp. It's not undoable, but it's a challenge. It's really enjoyable."
After their first hitout in a match, MacDonald admitted the team still has plenty to work on. "We've got some talent, there's no doubt about that," he said. "There's some good boys there."
The New Zealand under-20 squad comprises players with a mix of experience. Blues backs Simon Hickey and Tevita Li, Crusaders squad member Mitchell Drummond, formerly from Nelson, and Anton Leinert-Brown with the Chiefs have all tasted Super Rugby and are expected to show the way, while several others have made ITM Cup experiences.
Among the lesser known players, MacDonald points out a few to watch out for including young Southlander Damian McKenzie, who will play mainly at fullback, Wellington No 8 Matt Peni and openside flanker Mitchell Jacobson who MacDonald describes as "a carbon copy of Richie McCaw at the same age".
"He has the same mannerisms, the same haircut and everything. And he's got another year in this age group as well."
Of interest to Marlborough will be the performances of Atunaisa Moli, the inspirational MBC First XV skipper from last year's triumphant season.
"He's a young prop who's doing really well," said MacDonald. "He fits into the team, we all know what sort of a character he is. Although he's one of the younger players, he's a bit of a leader already. He's pushing for a starting spot for the big tests."
Although he has been primarily involved with senior players in the Tasman Makos setup over the past four years, MacDonald has had experience at the younger level, especially through his involvement with the MBC First XV, so working with a lower age group hasn't presented to many coaching challenges.
But there are differences.
"There's a few things that you have to be careful not to assume they know, they are only a year or two out of school so they still have some habits from their schoolboy days that you have to keep an eye on.
"Generally they are keen to learn and full of energy. You think they should be getting tired legs but they seem to keep going which is the nice thing about having a younger group - they don't complain as much."
This is the first time the under-20 World Cup will be staged in New Zealand, throwing up a host of new opportunities, plus a few challenges.
"A lot of our boys come from the Auckland area, with family and friends close by. It's a positive but can also be a distraction if it's not managed well, because everybody wants a piece of them and they've got a job to do.
"So we are just trying to make sure that when we arrive in Auckland we keep them on track and not too distracted."
But the team don't have the travel issues that their opponents face, and play two of their pool games at North Harbour and one at Pukekohe, meaning they remain close to their home base.
"Having familiar surroundings and family around will help settle some of the pressure they face with playing a tournament at home."
New Zealand have drawn South Africa in their pool, meaning a huge showdown between the traditional rivals looms on June 6.
"Generally only one team goes through from each pool," said MacDonald. "We've got them second, Samoa first, then Scotland. Obviously they are all important, but [South Africa] will be one of the favoured teams.
"England are generally there or thereabouts, they put a lot of resource into this programme . . . so they'll be one to watch. Then there's Wales, and France have been mentioned too - it's not dissimilar to the top grades, the same teams seem to be pushing at the top."
Come June 20 and the final at Eden Park, MacDonald will be hoping there's only one team at the top, and they are wearing black with a silver fern.
- The Marlborough Express
