A Super rugby centurion, Leon MacDonald began the 13th Crusade by becoming just the fifth player to feature in 100 matches for the Crusaders. The All Black fullback missed just two seasons; once when he was drafted to the Chiefs in 1998, and then in 2004 when he played a season with Japanese club Yamaha, after debuting for the Crusaders as a 19-year-old in 1997. Such is the significance of MacDonald’s contribution, just two of his team-mates – Andrew Mehrtens and Daniel Carter – boast more than his Crusaders career tally of 278 points, while just Caleb Ralph has more than his 41 tries. The Marlborough-raised father of four played his 50th Test for New Zealand against Scotland at the World Cup. MacDonald had an outstanding 2009 Super 14 for the Crusaders, binding the young backline together with his experience. He announced his intention to play club rugby in Japan but the Crusaders will hope to see him back.