KEY POINTS:
Injury-ridden Leon MacDonald will make his return to the rugby field this Friday night.
Last season's concussion-enforced break may have added to the longevity of MacDonald's career.
The Crusaders and All Black veteran has been off the field since last year's Tri-Nations in July and he says missing the Air New Zealand Cup has helped freshen him up, allowing him to do more training.
The 31-year-old MacDonald has been clear of concussion symptoms for over three months and said the break has made him "enthusiastic and keen".
MacDonald is full of priase for the Crusaders' new coaching staff for 2009.
He said head coach Todd Blackadder and assistant Daryl Gibson have brought in some new thinking from their time in the northern hemisphere.
He said there has also been some good roll-over of many of former coach Robbie Deans' ideas, with Mark Hammett still part of the coaching team.
The Crusaders play a Super 14 warm-up on Friday night against the Force in Perth.
In other rugby news, halfback Jimmy Cowan has been named to lead the Highlanders this season, with Jamie Mackintosh and Jason Shoemark his vice-captains.
At 26, Cowan is the most experienced member of the Highlanders squad with 56 games.
The 2009 Super 14 kicks off on Friday February 13.
- NEWSTALK ZB
