In 2013, Macdonald was selected in the Papua New Guinea squad for the 2013 World Cup.[9] He played in 3 matches and scored three tries and a field goal in Papua New Guinea's 9-8 defeat by France.[10]
2014
On 11 February 2014, Macdonald was selected in the Roosters' inaugural 2014 NRL Auckland Nines squad.[11] In Round 11 of the 2014 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for the Roosters against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on the wing and scored a try in the Roosters' 32-12 win at ANZ Stadium.[12][13] He finished his debut year in the NRL having played 7 games and scoring 3 tries for the Roosters. On 2 September 2014, he was named on the wing in the 2014 NYC Team of the Year.[14]
On 16 June, he signed a 1+1⁄2-year contract with the Gold Coast Titans mid-season effective immediately.[18][19] He made his club debut for the Titans in Round 15 against the New Zealand Warriors, playing at centre in the Titans' 36-14 loss at Cbus Super Stadium.[20][21] In his next match in Round 16 against his former club the Sydney Roosters, he scored his first try for the Titans in their 20-10 loss at Central Coast Stadium.[22] He finished off the 2015 season having played in 4 matches for the Roosters and 11 matches for the Titans, scoring 4 tries.[23] On 15 December, he was named on interchange bench for the World All Stars to play against the Indigenous All Stars on 16 February 2016.[24]
In February 2017, Macdonald was named in the Dragons 2017 NRL Auckland Nines squad.[33] On 10 February 2017, Macdonald played for the World All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars in the 2017 All Stars match, playing on the wing and scoring a try in the 34-8 loss at Hunter Stadium.[34] In Round 1 of the 2017 NRL season, Macdonald made his club debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons against the Penrith Panthers, playing on the wing in the 42-10 win at Jubilee Oval.[35]
In March, Macdonald was dropped from a pre-season trial game against the Melbourne Storm for being late to training.[37]
In round 1 of the 2019 NRL season, Macdonald made his debut for North Queensland, scoring a try in their 24–12 victory over his former club, the St George Illawarra Dragons.[38] In round 5, he suffered a fracture and dislocation of his ankle in the club's 12–18 defeat by the Melbourne Storm.[39]
On 20 June, he was involved in a traffic incident, in which a hired car leased in his name was found damaged and abandoned on Magnetic Island.[40][41] On 5 July, he was released by North Queensland.[42]
2020
On 11 June, Macdonald signed a contract to join Cronulla-Sutherland after twelve months out of the game.[43]
Macdonald made his debut for Cronulla-Sutherland in round 9 against Penrith and scored a try as Cronulla were beaten 56-24 at Kogarah Oval.[44]
In round 1 of the 2022 Championship season, MacDonald scored a hat-trick on his club debut for Leigh in their 50-4 victory over Whitehaven R.L.F.C.[48]
On 28 May, Macdonald played for Leigh in their 2022 RFL 1895 Cup final victory over Featherstone. On 10 July, Macdonald scored a hat-trick in Leigh's 66-0 victory over Workington Town.[49]
On 3 October 2022, Macdonald played for Leigh in their Million Pound Game victory over Batley which saw the club promoted back to the Super League. On 1 December 2022, Leeds announced that Macdonald had joined from Leigh for the 2023 season with a pre season friendly being announced as part of the deal.[50]
2023
In round 2 of the 2023 Super League season, Macdonald made his club debut for Leeds in their 22-18 loss against Hull F.C.[51]
Macdonald played a total of 19 games for Leeds in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished 8th on the table and missed the playoffs.[52]
On 16 October 2023 it was reported that he had signed a four-year deal to join Salford ahead of the 2024 season.[53]
2024
In round 1 of the 2024 Super League season, Macdonald made his club debut for Salford against his former team Leeds. Leeds would win the match 22-16.[54]
Statistics
NRL
Statistics are correct as of round 9 of the 2020 season[55]
^"Papua New Guinea - Nene McDonald". Rugby League World Cup 2013. Rugby League International Federation Ltd. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Squads For Auckland Nines". Rugby League Week. Bauer Media Australia. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
^"Two new Titans join ranks". Gold Coast Titans. National Rugby League. 16 June 2015. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
^"Three late changes in NRL". Gold Coast Titans. National Rugby League. 20 June 2015. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2015.