Stephen Donald puts in a 10
BY DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
All Blacks playmaker Stephen Donald earned high praise from his coaches after he guided New Zealand to a 22-16 comeback win against the Wallabies.
The Waikato and Chiefs No 10 hasn't had an easy time in the black jersey in his quest to fill Dan Carter's big boots.
But he shrugged off a hamstring injury to be an influential figure at Eden Park in a stern test of charcter.
Donald kicked five penalties and converted Richie McCaw's try as New Zealand fought back from 0-10 to beat the Wallabies in the opening Tri-Nations match and keep a hand firmly planted on the Bledisloe Cup.
"It was good to see Steve Donald play so well. I thought he had his best game at international rugby," said All Blacks coach Graham Henry.
Backs coach Wayne Smith was equally enthusiastic about Donald's effort on a windy and sometimes wet night in Auckland.
Donald's distribution was good, he ran at the Wallabies line and put in some fine field kicks as the All Blacks closed out the match with a dominant second half effort.
"Stephen has proven to be a very mature person in terms of what he has done running and directing the game. You can't do that for him," said Smith who added that Donald's availability came as a real bonus this week.
"He had no right to be ready for this week with the injury he had, but he showed real desire to be there."
The performance will have done wonders for Donald's confidence as the All Blacks head off to South Africa to face the Springboks over the next two weekends.
A player who has taken time to find his feet at every level of the game but then gone on to be a dominating and influential player, there are hopes he can do the same in test rugby.
The All Blacks badly need a backup to Dan Carter and Donald remains their best option despite his shaky start.
Smith believed Cory Jane, the fullback converted into a wing, had justified his place as he helped defuse the Wallabies kicking game and was also prominent in the All Blacks improved chasing game.
Henry believed the All Blacks bench had played an important part with prop Owen Franks and Piri Weepu putting in good efforts in the resurgent second half effort from New Zealand.
Forwards coach Steve Hansen dished out a plaudit for blindside flanker Jerome Kaino who continues to show his class in international rugby with a powerful game that took some of the pressure off returning stars Richie McCaw and Rodney So'oialo.
"He had a huge task. Jerome had two of his mates coming back from club footy and he allowed them to warm themselves back into test footy."
- © Fairfax NZ News
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Man! Why all the bagging! Everyone is obsessed with Donald getting charged down, didn't Matt Giteau supposedly "the best no 10 in the world at the moment" get charged down by Kaino as well? It happens to everyone, yes even your demi-god Dan Carter, get over it. The wallabies didn't score from it, and the AB's won. End of story, yes he will be under more pressure in the Republic, but now that he has the confidence of a good if not spectacular performance under his belt, I think he will keep on improving. Have a little faith, can't believe you are still complaining after we win. I wonder if we win the 2011 world cup, if you guys will still be moaning...
Guys, why is Piri Wepu not in the run on team? he is an outstanding halfback and the best NZ has had since Justin Marshall left the team. Also Luke Mac should be in the run on team, he is one of the best backs in international rugby and in his first match for the AB'S filled in for Dan Carter extremely well! KB
Some of these comments knocking Donald are unbelievable. The Aussie defence was superb and the pressure they put Donald under would have had any No. 10 struggling, including Carter. Donald had one kick charged down and two went vertical. For the remaining 79min and 45sec he had a very good game. Remember Giteau's charge down by Kaino? Does this then make Giteau just an average first five, not up to test standard?
What a tight game ! the ref was abyssmal ( both sides ) and how George Smith stayed on the field after a DELIBERATE foul is beyond me ! Tialata needs to lose 10-15 kilos to be a game breaker, and why, oh, why is De Malmanche (chiefs) not being used!! he played a blinder super14 and bench presses 200 kilos! isn't he worth a short run at the least? come on Henry! how about it? just 5 minutes at the end of the game? Still....we won, which was a nice suprise really! Well done boys!
Good result but anything but a polished performance, again Donald and Cowan showed they are still not up to Test standard,Weepu again showed his class, why he is not starting is incredible, if I was him I would be heading to the North and pick up a club contact if this is the treatment he contiunes to receive, solid effects from Ross ( can anyone tell me why he is jumping at 6 and not 2 or 4 in the line out....guaranteed ball everytime) and Kaino. We are still in trouble if we rely on McCaw's presence to win the big games.
This was a tight game between two dreadful teams. 11 missed tackles inside 30-minutes speaks volumes! The difference came down to 2 kicks; and let's be honest, if the Wallabies didn't shoot themselves in the foot with an open try beckening; a pretty raw and average Australian team could have won. On home soil you'd have wished for a more convincing win. Sorry I didn't see enough to be convinced that we'll win on either South African or Australian soil.
Just because we won dont think Donald had anything to do with it he is not an international no 10 his kicking is sub par and his inability to read the game is a sad reflection on a coach who has no new ideas The all blacks were lucky they want be that lucky twice get rid of Donald
Tracey #23 totally agree. We have lowered the bar aye. Did anyone else do a double take WOW!!!!! WHEN PIRI KICKED DEEP FROM T/O BALL!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean since when have All Black teams NOT ran a turn-over ball back. Thats always been the best ball to get wide as your opposition defences are still in attack formation. Sure he would have had that "play the game down there" mantra drummed into him and Cowan but shouldn't Henry be saving the conservative "grind out a win' however ugly rugby for knock-out tournys??
I am glad we won but think the best team lost last night. We were lucky. Henry will need to develop more to our game than just aggression and dogged defence as that has a limited shelf life with a "best before date" expiry well before 2011.
To Sthern #7, you're just talking rubbish. Do you ever play rugby or have represented the country in any spot? Dont think so. People like you are just moaners, never satisfied. Get over yourself, Donald was one of the best players last night.
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Cy #43 Supposedly is right, and only by insular Australiasians. No, the best first five eight in the world (since 2007) remains Juan Martin Hernandez.