Macdonald (28), a hooker, has been a regular in blue and gold for the past few years and captained the Highlanders in games last year.
But the form of Southlanders David Hall and Jason Rutledge led to his being pushed into the Super 14 draft.
And where should he end up? Only the most successful franchise in the competition's history.
Macdonald was picked up by the Crusaders as their only draft player, and he has become even more valuable to the championship -laden franchise after first-choice hooker Corey Flynn broke an arm against the Brumbies last month and was ruled out for the rest of the season.
Macdonald said he was really enjoying being with the Crusaders.
"Next to the All Blacks, this franchise would have the most professional environment of any team in the world," Macdonald said.
"It's hard to put into words but they have that good southern feeling about them. The honesty, the need to work hard. They also have a winning culture. They have guys here who know what winning championships is about.
"Success breeds success and that is one thing the Crusaders have done over the past 10 years."
Macdonald is living with team-mate No 8 Thomas Waldrom and his wife.
His own wife, Willow, is still living in Dunedin, where she works in the public health system.
Macdonald has played 32 games for the Highlanders and was signed with Otago until the end of this year.
He said coming back to Carisbrook would be great but also strange, particularly going into the opposition changing room.
"It's going to be a sort of weird feeling. It will just make it a bit more interesting."
Macdonald said Flynn's experience and leadership in the tight five would be missed.
But the latter's injury had given Macdonald a chance, which looked unlikely when he was sitting on the bench for Otago in the Air New Zealand Cup last year.
Macdonald said the loss against the Hurricanes last Friday night had refocused the team, and the players knew they had to concentrate on the little things and then the wins would come.
The hooker said he threw into the line-out just twice in the Hurricanes match, which was due to the Hurricanes' unstructured game.
He was expecting a torrid encounter against the Highlanders after both teams lost last weekend.
"The Highlanders have been playing some pretty positive footy and we know it is going to be a hard game.
"I'm sure I'll get a few chips from the guys down there. But I'll just ignore it and let my game do the talking."
