Mike MacDonald (rugby union)

Mike MacDonald (born November 27, 1980 in Berkeley, California, United States) is a retired rugby union footballer who formerly played for Leeds Carnegie in the RFU Championship and English Premiership. He played for the United States, and his usual position was at prop.

Mike MacDonald
Date of birth (1980-11-27) November 27, 1980
Place of birthBerkeley, California, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight270 lb (120 kg)
UniversityUniversity of California, Berkeley
Occupation(s)Professional rugby union player
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2006
2006–2012		 Worcester Warriors
Leeds Carnegie 		6
128		 (0)
(130)
Correct as of February 6, 2014
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2000–2012 United States 67 (30)

Youth and college

MacDonald began playing rugby during his sophomore year of high school in 1997. MacDonald graduated from Miramonte High School in 1999, and followed in the footsteps of his brother who also played rugby. MacDonald also excelled in wrestling and football, finishing 3rd in state wrestling during his senior year of High School.[1]

MacDonald would go on to win four rugby National Championships with the University of California, Berkeley; where he was named an All-American five times between 2000 and 2004, and following the 2004 national championship was named tournament MVP.[2]

Professional career

MacDonald played professionally in England from 2005 to 2012, first with the Worcester Warriors from 2005–06, and then with Leeds Carnegie from 2007–2012.[3] MacDonald was a key player for Leeds during the 2006–07 season which saw Leeds win National League 1 and gain promotion to the Premiership, with MacDonald scoring 10 tries that season, a remarkable scoring rate for a front row player.[4] MacDonald was named Leeds' Player of the Season following the 2007–08 Premiership season, and was named captain for the 2008–09 season.[5] In June 2011 MacDonald renewed his contract with Leeds Carnegie for another two years.[6] In April 2012 MacDonald was released from Leeds.[7]

International career

MacDonald's debut for the United States was against Fiji on June 30, 2000.[8] MacDonald has represented the USA in three Rugby World Cups – 2003, 2007 and 2011. At the 2011 Rugby World Cup, MacDonald broke two US records: he tallied his 63rd cap, surpassing Luke Gross as the United States' most-capped player,[9] and made his 11th appearance in a Rugby World Cup match, breaking the record held by Alec Parker.[10] MacDonald was named Man of the Match in the United States' win over Russia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup; MacDonald was key as the US scrum made Russia wilt under pressure and MacDonald was outstanding at the breakdown.[11]

Coaching career

MacDonald was signed on as an assistant coach of the California Golden Bears rugby team in 2011.[12] Since his joining of the team as the forwards coach in the 2011–12 season, Cal Rugby has made seven 15's national championship appearances, including two victories in 2016 and 2017.[13][14]

See also

References
  1. USA Rugby, "USA Rugby - Men's National Team - Player Profile - Mike MacDonald". Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  2. USA Rugby, "USA Rugby - Men's National Team - Player Profile - Mike MacDonald". Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  3. ESPN Scrum, http://www.espnscrum.com/other/rugby/player/13457.html
  4. ESPN Scrum, MacDonald signs new Leeds deal, June 6, 2007, http://www.espnscrum.com/other/rugby/story/70495.html
  5. Universal Sports, Mike MacDonald Bio, http://www.universalsports.com/rugby/athletes/athlete=267557548/bio/index.html
  6. ESPN Scrum, Hetherington admits Leeds mistakes, June 9, 2011, http://www.espnscrum.com/other/rugby/story/141302.html
  7. "Veteran prop MacDonald heads Leeds Carnegie exodus".
  8. ESPN Scrum, http://www.espnscrum.com/other/rugby/player/13457.html
  9. Rugby Mag, MacDonald on Cap Record, Ireland Game, September 9, 2011, http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1891:macdonald-on-cap-record-ireland-game&catid=39:usa-men&Itemid=194
  10. Universal Sports, Mike MacDonald Bio, http://www.universalsports.com/rugby/athletes/athlete=267557548/bio/index.html
  11. Rugby Week, America down Russia for first World Cup victory, September 15, 2011, "America down Russia for first World Cup victory | Rugby Week News,Rugby Club Fixtures,Results". Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  12. "Mike MacDonald - Rugby Coach". University of California Golden Bears Athletics. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  13. Yen, Ruey (May 7, 2016). "Cal Rugby Wins the 2016 15s National Championship!". California Golden Blogs. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  14. Yen, Ruey (May 7, 2017). "Cal Rugby repeats as Varsity Cup (15s) national champions!". California Golden Blogs. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
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