Grand slam a family affair for MacDonald

EDINBURGH - Sage family advice won't be in short supply as Angus Macdonald prepares to run onto Murrayfield here on Sunday (NZ time) chasing Grand Slam rugby glory with the All Blacks.

Young Macdonald has grown up with talk of Grand Slams never far away -- his father Hamish went agonisingly close in 1972-73 and uncle Doug Bruce was part of the only All Blacks side to achieve it in 1978.

Fittingly, in the land of many namesakes, Macdonald has been given his first run-on test against Scotland as history beckons again.

Hamish Macdonald played 48 matches at lock for the All Blacks, including 12 tests, and like his son did three weeks ago, made his debut against Wales.

That 1972-73 tour came unstuck in the final match with a 10-10 draw against Ireland, leaving the All Blacks without a Grand Slam from five attempts.

On hearing his selection this week, Macdonald, 24, didn't hesitate to call home.

"He'll just say enjoy the occasion, be yourself and rip into it -- that's the message he always gives," Macdonald said.

Growing up on a farm in remote Waipoa Forest near Kaikohe in the far north, Macdonald never felt pressure from his famous father as he and elder brother Sam quickly showed the family rugby ability.

"He's been great -- he never pushed me into playing rugby and when I was younger I was more interested in cricket.

"Whatever I was doing he was there to support."

At high school the thwack of leather on willow held more appeal as he played cricket with and alongside future internationals Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum and the Marshall twins, James and Hamish.

A No 4 batsman and second change bowler, he went through all the Northern Districts, then Auckland age-grade teams after shifting to King's College in the big smoke.

But in his final year at school, rugby began luring him away.

"It was a pretty easy choice what rugby offered at that age, a lot more support and scholarships for study."

He was in all the national age-grade rugby sides and it wasn't long before Auckland's NPC side beckoned.

Players given the utility label can often find it more a nuisance, but Macdonald embraced it for Auckland this year.

Playing all three loose forward positions he showed his versatility, and had a dynamic NPC semifinal against North Harbour which included a stunning 60m dash for one of his two tries.

Coach Graham Henry named the 1.94m, 107kg Macdonald for the Grand Slam tour as a loose forward covering all three positions.

He was happy to be named at No 6 in a trio with Richie McCaw and Sione Lauaki this weekend, saying it was his preferred position but also the toughest to master because of the range of skills required by the modern No 6.

After a brief bench appearance against Wales, Macdonald faced an anxious wait to see if he would start a test on tour.

He was given the wink by Henry on Monday but was still buzzing when Henry read out his name in the team meeting the next day.

"I wasn't guaranteed anything, so to hear my name read out was huge.

"I had a few hints of it last week, maybe do a bit of research on Scotland. It wasn't definitely 'you are starting', but I had a fair idea."

Macdonald confirmed the words 'Grand Slam' had been off limits in the All Blacks camp until this week, after the first three wins were achieved, and now there was huge motivation to finish the job.

And those used to watching the flowing Macdonald locks will be in for a surprise when he runs out on Sunday, thanks to teammates Ali Williams and Jimmy Cowan who forked out £15 for a date with the clippers.

"We were out for lunch and they were giving me a bit of stick for covering up the receder with my long hair.

"I thought 'oh well, if you pay for the haircut I'll shave it off'. I actually quite enjoy it so might stick with it now."

- NZPA