Hamish MacDonald was born in Rawene and attended King's College in Auckland where he played in the 1st XV in 1963,64 and Auckland Secondary Schools in 1964. Along with King's team mate lan Kirkpatrick he broke into representative rugby for Poverty Bay in 1966, playing against the touring Lions that year.
Moving to Canterbury the following season Macdonald represented Canterbury each year until 1974.
Moving to Canterbury the following season Macdonald represented Canterbury each year until 1974.
He came to national prominence as a member of the Canterbury team that lifted the Ranfurly Shield from Hawkes Bay in 1969 and held it until 1971. He made his All Black debut on the internal tour in 1972 but missed selection against Australia later that season.
He was however included in the All Black side, captained by Ian Kirkpatrick, that toured Great Britain and France in 1972/3. Macdonald was one of the tour successes, playing in all five tests and forming a very effective locking partnership with Peter Whiting.
After playing the home test against England in 1973 Hamish Macdonald was a surprise omission from the 1974 tour to Australia. He did however regain his place for the Irish Centenary tour later that season where he appeared in seven of the eight matches. Back in North Auckland and turning out for the Kaikohe club he played home tests against Scotland and Ireland during the next two seasons before making his final All Black tour, to South Africa, in 1976. He appeared in 14 of the 24 games, including the first three tests. He continued to represent North Auckland for another two seasons.
Standing 6'3" (1.90m) and weighing 16 stone (102kg) Hamish Macdonald was a particularly hardworking and conscientious lock, a strong scrummager and effective front of the lineout jumper. He scored two tries in 48 matches (12 tests) for the All Blacks His father H J Macdonald (1932-35) and brother Rod (1975-76) also represented North Auckland. Son Angus, a flanker or lock, has represented Auckland since 2001 and the Blues from 2003.
He was however included in the All Black side, captained by Ian Kirkpatrick, that toured Great Britain and France in 1972/3. Macdonald was one of the tour successes, playing in all five tests and forming a very effective locking partnership with Peter Whiting.
After playing the home test against England in 1973 Hamish Macdonald was a surprise omission from the 1974 tour to Australia. He did however regain his place for the Irish Centenary tour later that season where he appeared in seven of the eight matches. Back in North Auckland and turning out for the Kaikohe club he played home tests against Scotland and Ireland during the next two seasons before making his final All Black tour, to South Africa, in 1976. He appeared in 14 of the 24 games, including the first three tests. He continued to represent North Auckland for another two seasons.
Standing 6'3" (1.90m) and weighing 16 stone (102kg) Hamish Macdonald was a particularly hardworking and conscientious lock, a strong scrummager and effective front of the lineout jumper. He scored two tries in 48 matches (12 tests) for the All Blacks His father H J Macdonald (1932-35) and brother Rod (1975-76) also represented North Auckland. Son Angus, a flanker or lock, has represented Auckland since 2001 and the Blues from 2003.