MacDonald looks for an early return

Former All Blacks fullback Leon MacDonald is seeking an early return from Japan, where he is currently playing, in order to resume his career with the Crusaders in the Super 12 in 2005.

MacDonald began a two-year contract with Yamaha in Japan earlier this year after playing several matches for the Harlequins club in Blenheim.

But the former Crusaders star is reported to have been sending former team-mates emails saying that he was considering a move back to Canterbury next year.

When contacted at his home in Iwata, near Tokyo, MacDonald would not confirm that he would be back in New Zealand next year, but said he was looking at prospects outside Japan and he had the option to return home.