Pool D New Zealand v Wales: The knockout stages are almost here, yet the main talking point of New Zealand's World Cup surrounds a player not currently in contention for a game.

In a campaign more notable for injuries than anything to test the All Blacks' world title credentials, the superhuman recovery powers of their midfield totem Tana Umaga, who ruptured his knee ligaments in the opening game against Italy, have monopolised the nation's attention.

The influential Umaga may yet return next week in a dramatic quarter-final twist, defying conventional medical opinion which had him out until Christmas. In fact he was back exercising lightly within a week, resumed non-contact training duties last week and on Tuesday will return to full work as the All Blacks prepare, presumably, for a quarter-final against South Africa here.

Tomorrow, however, against Wales in Sydney, Leon MacDonald will hold centre stage. And the man who currently occupies Umaga's pivotal number 13 position may demonstrate that the veteran's return to fitness is not as vital to New Zealand's World Cup hopes as the nation first feared.

MacDonald could hardly offer a greater contrast to the distinctive features and intimidating physique of Umaga, whom one rugby website recently paired as a lookalike with the eponymous movie alien Predator. At 5ft 9in and less than 15 stone, MacDonald possesses neither the fearsome frame nor, with his dark brown hair cropped tidily, the charismatic features that mark Umaga (6ft 2in, 15 stone 9lb) as one of the game's most recognisable characters. But there is one similarity: they are both class footballers.

Last week MacDonald stepped up to play with no little composure in the All Blacks' 91-7 romp over Tonga in Brisbane, scoring a try and kicking a perfect 12 goals from 12 shots. For the New Zealand coach John Mitchell it was the answer to a centre conundrum which had previously seen him experiment with a facsimile Umaga in the shape of his fellow dreadlocked Wellington team-mate Ma'a Nonu. But it is MacDonald, the "boy next door in a rugby jersey", who looks the better fit.

MacDonald is the fifth generation of his family to play first-class rugby in New Zealand and is related to Jack Hoani MacDonald, who represented England in 1942. Hitherto he has played all his Test football at full back but he can slot in anywhere from outhalf to wing.

He can step into almost any situation, including goalkicking. Last week he took on that responsibility for the first time in his 22-Test career and never looked like missing, despite the pouring rain. Whatever the weather, MacDonald takes everything in his stride.

"Centre and full back are reasonably similar," he said yesterday. "You get a lot of space out wide and the only difference is at centre you're in the front line of defence. To me it's not a major change and I enjoy getting involved in things."

MacDonald admitted to some surprise at his perfect night with the boot in Brisbane but thanked his speedy backs for the chance of so much practice. He knows Umaga is looming and Nonu remains in the picture but says simply that with the All Blacks no one is guaranteed a spot beyond the next game. "You play for your life every week."

After the World Cup he will take up a two-year deal with the Yamaha club in Japan. At 25 he is young to be heading overseas and out of the All Blacks picture but, having taken a series of head knocks, is sensible to maximise his earnings while he can.

"The World Cup has been a long-term goal of mine," he says, "but I thought it was the right time to make the decision to leave New Zealand. It means I can focus on putting everything into this campaign."

His All Blacks and Canterbury Crusaders skipper Reuben Thorne is already lamenting his departure. "Leon is extremely highly rated in Canterbury and we think he's underrated everywhere else. He's been outstanding for us, a great contributor and team man."

The All Blacks backs coach Robbie Deans echoed those sentiments but stressed, for the moment at least, he is an integral member of this World Cup side.

"Leon's a big part of the glue of this team. He can play so many positions, goalkicker being one of them." If Umaga fails to recover, MacDonald, as goalkicker and the man charged with unleashing the potent New Zealand back three, could yet be the pivotal figure in their quest to win the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.