Nene MacDonald was one of the stars of the 2022 Championship season and many are excited to see what he will do in 2023 in Super League.
For a long time he was linked with Leeds Rhinos but was included in newly branded Leigh Leopards’ 2023 squad at their launch last week.
Though the Leopards are still over the overseas quota, it seems he won’t be headed to Headingley with the Rhinos using their last quota spot on Sam Lisone.
So, MacDonald is set to stay at Leigh and is looking forward for 2023 believing that the World Cup will be the ideal springboard into 2023 after playing in games that weren’t always high intensity in his words.
He noted his excitement for 2023 saying: “I think it’s a step up. It’s more back and forth swings, so I’m getting back into that.
“No offence, we were playing well and scoring tries so often we were just resetting so we weren’t playing at high intensity all the time.
“I like playing like this, this competitive edge. I love getting whacked and whacking people.”
He also reflected on an “amazing year” for himself which has seen an emotional journey has come to an end.
“It’s been an amazing year,” MacDonald said, “It’s pretty good when you’re winning every week and then topping it off with the Grand Final win and coming into the World Cup and it means so much putting this jersey on. It’s been four years since I did with injury and being away from the game, I’ve fought my way back and getting my shot at Leigh.
“It’s been a long, emotional journey and it feels like I never left. I love playing rugby league and putting this jersey on.”
