He is on his third English club in as many seasons, but in-form centre Nene Macdonald has revealed why he finally feels at home with Salford Red Devils.
The 30-year-old was a key part of Leigh’s promotion bid in 2022, when he averaged a try per game over 27 appearances before an off-season move to Leeds Rhinos.
That stint came to a controversial end a year ago when he didn’t return from leave to attend the birth of his second child in Australia.
Rhinos later said they and the player had “mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect” and the centre/winger would be staying in Australia.
But just weeks later, Salford announced they had signed the Papua New Guinea international on a four-year deal and he reckons things couldn’t have worked out better.
Macdonald has been one of the Red Devils’ most impressive players in 2024, with nine Super League tries and revealed playing with a smile on his face has been at the heart of his good form.
“The last two seasons, getting used to the English lifestyle, the weather and all that, I think I was looking at it through the wrong lens. I was a bit more annoyed with the weather, instead of embracing it,” he told Serious About Rugby League.
“Now I’ve come with a better lens and I’m not missing home as much. This is my second home now, it’s a beautiful country. You just have to get to know the place.
“When you don’t know where everything is or where to go, it is quite confusing. But now I know where everything is and it has become like my home now and it makes it enjoyable.
“Salford make it enjoyable as well, the coaching staff and everyone at the club. It is such a tight-knit group so everything is falling into place this year.”
Macdonald is back in Leeds on Sunday for Salford’s Magic Weekend showdown with Leigh at Elland Road. And with his two old clubs snapping at the Red Devils’ heels, he reckons they can’t afford to lose.
“It’s the first chance I’ve had to play here [Elland Road] and I’m excited to play against my old team as well,” Macdonald said. “It’s good to play against Leigh and I think it’s a must-win game with the ladder being so close at the moment.
“I don’t know when was the last time I saw the Super League ladder so close. Now we are going down to the business end, I think we have got to win every game to secure our spot because Leeds and Leigh are going to be fighting tooth and nail to get their spot as well. My old clubs are coming after me!”
