Chiefs sign new hooker for 2015

Editor

The Chiefs have bolstered their squad for next season by signing former Crusaders and Blues hooker Quentin MacDonald.

The Chiefs have bolstered their squad for next season by signing former Crusaders and Blues hooker Quentin MacDonald.

MacDonald returned to New Zealand recently after a loan spell with Irish province Munster.

He will join the Hamilton-based franchise after this year's ITM Cup campaign with Tasman.

The 25-year-old, who played in 22 matches for the Crusaders from 2010 to 12 and in six games for the Blues last year, is excited to return to Super Rugby in 2015.

''It is a fantastic opportunity with an awesome coaching staff and a great player base,'' MacDonald told the Chiefs' official website.

With regular Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot battling to over come a bad neck-injury, which has kept him on the sidelines this whole season, and Mahonri Scwalger aged 36, MacDonald has a chance to become the Chiefs' first-choice hooker in competition with Nathan Harris and Rhys Marshall.

Waikato's ITM Cup scrum-half and captain Brad Weber, who was part of the Chiefs' wider training group this year, has also joined the Super Rugby champions for next season.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie is delighted with his new signings.

“Brad has had a strong debut season and provides a genuine point of difference to our other halfbacks,” he said.

“He's a top man and we're rapt he's on board for 2015.

“Tom, Straws and I have all coached Quentin at national age grade level. His athleticism, his skill set and experience will be invaluable to our squad.”

Aprt from his stints with the Crusadersd and Blues, MacDonald has played over 50 matches for the Tasman Makos and represented the New Zealand U20s, and the Maori All Blacks.

Weber is a former New Zealand U20's player and started his ITM Cup career with Otago before moving to Waikato in 2013.