Leon MacDonald has been inducted into the Crusaders Hall of Fame, his announcement as Inductee #5 met with rapturous applause from the 700-plus people gathered at the club’s annual Hall of Fame Charity Lunch on Friday 24 May 2024.
A legend of the game when he played, MacDonald has continued to make a huge impact on the game as a coach and a continual source of wisdom. Currently All Blacks Assistant Coach, he will no doubt continue to guide rugby in New Zealand for years to come.
“It’s a proud moment. I mean, you’re talking Wayne Smith and Todd Blackadder and Justin Marshall – just to be recognised amongst those guys is hugely humbling,” MacDonald said.
His first year as a Crusader was 1997, just a year after the franchise started. He debuted against the Hurricanes in March, winning 19-17.
Before Crusader #37 hung up the red and black jersey for good, he’s been part of seven title wins including the franchise’s first three-peat between 1998 and 2000. He played 122 games in the jersey, scored 42 tries and had a 76 per cent win rate.
“We were there right at the very start and helped with the building blocks and I’m really proud of that,” MacDonald said.
His tenure as halfback involved going from three-time defending champions in 2000 to 10th place in 2001. It was a season when South African and Australian teams really found their form (all five NZ clubs fell outside the top-four playoffs).
“I’m proud of the struggles we went through and how we came out the other end. That resilience, I lean on that in my personal life now, the skills I learned through those tough times.
“I try to pass that on to the teams I coach and the players when they’re going through adversity as well.”
