Back in the All Blacks fold after a year in Japan, MacDonald is an accomplished back with a reputation as being one of the best defenders around.

Yet he is also no slouch in attack having scored 10 tries in his 26 appearances for the All Blacks.

Although he started out as a fly-half for the Crusaders while still in his teens and played that position while in Japan he has already faced the Lions in the No 15 jersey this summer, scoring a try for the NZ Maori in their 19-13 defeat of the tourists.

Yet it is a measure of his versatility that he has played in both positions - and in the centres - at international level.

A member of the fifth generation of MacDonalds to have played first-class rugby, Leon is now back with the Crusaders after his sojourn on the Orient and is showing just how valuable his superb kicking and excellent all-round game can be.