MacDonald settling into Chief life [Fairfax]

Bruce Mercer/Fairfax
Quentin MacDonald has tasted professional rugby in both hemispheres but believes the Chiefs have one of the best training setups he has come across.The 26-year-old hooker has played for the Crusaders and the Blues as well as having a four-month stint with Munster, in Ireland, last year as injury cover.But now he is vying with Hika Elliot and Rhys Marshall for game time in the No 2 jersey at the Chiefs, effectively replacing the retired Mahonri Schwalger in the squad.It was his experience that attracted the Chiefs coaches before it was known former All Black Elliot would be able to make a comeback from his serious neck injury to replace the injured Nathan Harris in the squad."I'm loving it at the moment. The setup they've got here at Ruakura is obviously one of the best and to come into a team that have won two of the last three Super Rugby titles is great," MacDonald said."And I've had a little bit to do with Renns [head coach Dave Rennie] at under-20s, as well as [assistant coaches] Straws [Andrew Strawbridge] and Tom Coventry."So I'm excited just to give it a real good crack with a good bunch of hookers we've got here."He is under no illusions about the competition he is up against with Elliot having won two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs and Marshall one."And Nathan's out for a bit but he's just been an All Black so it's not an easy task and I'm just trying to fit into the culture and add some value."Chiefs forwards coach Coventry had MacDonald in his New Zealand Schools' team in 2006 and said the franchise coaches had spent time coaching him with New Zealand under-20 so knew a lot about him."He's got plenty of experience and we looked for someone to replace Mo's experience," Coventry said."He's played for a couple of other franchises and while he would have liked more game time there we like his character, he's one of the more accurate hookers at throwing the ball in, he's like an extra loose forward on the field, he's very mobile, has got good skills and is very aerobically fit at the moment so he's pushing really hard."MacDonald certainly enjoyed his time with Munster, being there through their Heineken Cup campaign."The home quarterfinal at Thormond Park against Toulouse, the ground holds just under 30,000 but it felt like 130,000 - they were crazy, fanatical."I like playing in New Zealand but it's always good to have a look overseas and get a taste of it before going over there later on."I love New Zealand but maybe later on in my career it's something I might look into again. I've still got a bit of unfinished stuff I want to cross off my personal list here and I'll be giving it a good crack this year," he said. - Waikato Times