Stanford’s Dani McDonald /// Photo: Hector Garcia-Molina (see more)
We’re expanding the Canterbury Players of the Week (and Month) and will highlight a collegiate and high school standout for each iteration. Last weekend, Stanford University’s Dani McDonald and North Suburban’s Tatum Johnson distinguished themselves.
RELATED: Santa Clara’s Players of the Week • Midwest Hungry for More Rugby • Round 1: Stanford v Chico •
Johnson joined 19 other Midwest high school all-stars to Florida, where the Thunderbirds shut out the Florida high school state champion and Florida U20s (read more). Coach Garrett Fisher was truly impressed how the players gelled so quickly. Athletes like Johnson, with her positivity and appetite to learn and play, expedited that process.
It’s not the first time that Fisher has noted the North Suburban/Minnesota Tundra product, who earned MVP in Saturday’s win. When Johnson was introduced into the Midwest pool during last summer’s selection camp, he called her “the biggest surprise.”
“She’s a tremendous talent,” Fisher had said. “She played 9, wing, hooker and flanker because she told us: I just want to play rugby and will fit in wherever you want.”
Johnson seen here during the 2016 Minnesota state championship. Photo: Mike Morrissey
That same mindset is part of the reason why McDonald is the collegiate Player of the Week. The Stanford senior has played everywhere in the back line, but personnel issues produced a vacancy at No. 8. The coaching staff looked at McDonald, who not only had the skill set to be a good back row but also the rugby smarts that demand an influential position on the pitch.
She debuted against Cal, did well, and then had a breakout game against Humboldt the following day. On Saturday, the Pacific Mountain West pit Stanford against Chico State in Palo Alto, and the decision would decide second place in the standings. McDonald scored a try in the 24-12 win and was at the hub of a good Cardinal performance. Read more.
“ … [I]t was really positive for the whole team,” Stanford coach Josh Sutcliffe reflected on McDonald’s move to No. 8. “When you put someone with a really high rugby IQ in very close to the ball … they’re going to have a big impact on the game.”
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At the end of each month, readers will vote on a high school and collegiate Player of the Month, and winners will receive a complimentary giveaway from our sponsor, Canterbury.