Angus Macdonald - Auckland's Mr Versatile

Angus Macdonald is looking forward to lifting his skill level. Picture / Dean Purcell

He is heavier and taller than his All Black locking father, but Angus Macdonald will play openside flanker for Auckland tomorrow in round two of the NPC against Otago.

It says a great deal about Macdonald's skills and the changing physical demands of the sport that he can fit into the role usually occupied by good buddy Daniel Braid.

Another shoulder problem for Braid and some pre-season intuition persuaded coach Pat Lam to pit Macdonald against Otago flyer Josh Blackie at Carisbrook.

"Angus is someone we identified with the skills to do the job and we played this loose forward combination pre-season against the Reds at Ballymore," he said.

Injuries and the return of some All Blacks have allowed Lam to make five changes and Macdonald's positional switch after the opening victory against North Harbour.

Joe Rokocoko, Derren Witcombe and John Afoa are back from All Black duty, Sam Tuitupou returns from suspension after the Lions game and Jerome Kaino fits into the back of the scrum with Macdonald's move.

"Our initial plan was to use the All Blacks from the bench but the Battle of the Bridge took a lot out of the boys," said Lam. "So it has worked out perfectly for us to use guys who could train all week."

There had been no instructions from All Black coach Graham Henry, just the offer of some of his squad.

Rokocoko will team up on the wing with national aspirant Doug Howlett, a player Lam said had been hurt with his exit from the All Blacks but had been superb for Auckland.

"He has taken a knock and come back, he has led the team with Justin Collins and made a big effort," said Lam.

The trip to Carisbrook would be a massive challenge, a step-up in the forward confrontation, but Auckland had to push on from the decent start to this year's series.

Macdonald pointed to Rodney So'oialo's all-round ability as a template for his new role.

"I have just got to get into the mindset about it, make sure I do the right thing from set piece, then it all falls into place," he said. "I have not played a lot at openside but I did do a lot of work with David Nucifora at the breakdown area during the Blues season."

Macdonald has the speed and size to handle the job (he is 1.94m and 107kg, compared to his father Hamish, who played 12 tests as a 1.90m, 100kg lock).

But it is more a case of erasing the No 8 mentality he had switched on to in the last few months.

The 24-year-old started his senior rugby life as a blindside flanker who could play lock, but has shifted to the other roles this season for New Zealand Maori and Auckland.

"We had a pre-season trial game against the Reds at Ballymore and I went up against David Croft and did not feel out of place," Macdonald said. "If I want to progress in this sport, go to another level, it has to be as a loose forward rather than lock, so this variety is all about helping my skill base."