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Veteran Eagle has no desire to retire

Thursday 29 September 2011, 3:07AM

By Rugby World Cup 2011

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Eagle Mike MacDonald may have played at his last Rugby World Cup
Eagle Mike MacDonald may have played at his last Rugby World Cup Credit: Rugby World Cup 2011

NELSON

USA have only just left for home after their final match at Rugby World Cup 2011 but their most experienced campaigner is already aiming for another shot in four years’ time.

Mike MacDonald made his international debut in 2000 and now has 65 Test caps, making the 30-year-old the most capped Eagle of all time.

But the 123kg prop known as "Big Mac" is not prepared to hang up his boots while the desire still burns to play at a fourth Rugby World Cup.

“As far as anyone knows I may have my best years ahead of me,” he said.

“Four years is a long time but as long as my legs are telling me I can still compete at this level, I’ll be putting my hand up to pull on the jersey.”

One of the biggest factors driving that desire is MacDonald’s dream to play against New Zealand or Australia.

Paid tribute

He was denied the opportunity in the pool stage when USA coach Eddie O’Sullivan chose to rest him for their match against the Wallabies in Wellington.

“It was the hardest thing sitting on that sideline and watching the other guys have a run,” MacDonald said.

“Playing for the US, you just don’t know how often those chances to play teams like Australia are going to come along.”

O’Sullivan paid tribute to MacDonald ahead of USA’s final match against Italy on Tuesday, declaring a win would be a perfect send-off for the veteran.

It wasn’t to be. The Eagles’ front row had a torrid time against the might of the Azzurri scrum and USA lost 27-10.

Valuable commodity

A hardened professional who has played for Leeds Carnegie in England since 2006, MacDonald is a valuable commodity in a national team made up largely of amateur players.

O’Sullivan said USA Rugby would struggle to fill the hole that will be left when Big Mac retires from the international game, something the Irish coach is expecting within the next four years.

“I’m not saying it is goodbye just yet but I’d say it’ll be his last World Cup,” O’Sullivan said.

“He’s got a lot of miles on the clock and while I don’t want to be retiring him, those miles start to catch up with you after a while.”

USA full back Chris Wyles still has complete faith that he will be lining up alongside MacDonald in 2015.

“His legs might be telling him one thing, but knowing Mac and the type of guy he is, he’ll tell them to harden up and get on with it,” Wyles said.