'MacDonald a threat'

2008-05-28 12:33

Christchurch - Waratahs fullback Sam Norton-Knight has targeted his Crusaders counterpart Leon MacDonald as a danger man to his side in Saturday's Super 14 rugby final in Christchurch.

While All Black stars Dan Carter and Richie McCaw are often cited as the pivotal men in the star-studded Crusaders squad, Norton-Knight identified 30-year-old MacDonald as another major threat to the Waratahs, reports the NZ Herald website.

MacDonald, who has played well over 100 Super matches and accumulated 51 All Black caps, is among the franchise's all-time highest point scorers and a key attacking and defensive component of the team.

"I think you saw on Saturday in the semi-final, Leon MacDonald is extremely dangerous," Norton-Knight said.

"The back three in our squad look at a lot of his footage because he does very little wrong.

"Everything he does has a positive impact on the team and he does the hard work and takes those high balls and gets good field position for them."

'Really stymies'

Norton-Knight, who also selected scrumhalf Andy Ellis as another potential thorn in his team's side, said the best way to curtail MacDonald's influence was to shut down the Crusaders go forward play.

"I think that really stymies any backline and any fullback," Norton-Knight said.

Meanwhile captain and flanker Phil Waugh sat out most of Tuesday's session and isn't expected to train until Friday because of a cork.

Waratahs assistant coach Steve Tuynman said focusing on individual opponents could distract the Waratahs from their own game.

"I think if we go out and target some of these guys, we're probably doing an injustice, we've got to look at what our game is doing and they have got 15 guys there that are just as good as Richie McCaw," Tuynman said.

"We've got to stick to our plan, that's what we've done all year and when we stick to the plan we go well and we get results."

- SAPA