News

AB benchwarmer has high hopes

August 06 2008

Stephen Donald, New Zealand's back-up fly-half to Dan Carter, believes his days of sitting on the bench will one day be behind him as the All Blacks prepare for their Tri-Nations tour of South Africa.

The Waikato playmaker has played second fiddle to Carter since making Graham Henry's squad after an impressive showing for the Chiefs in this year's Super 14.

And with Carter's form showing no signs of dipping, Donald's elusive start in the black jersey this year may only come in the midweek "friendly"against Samoa in New Plymouth on September 3.

However just being a part of the national team's set-up is a reward in its own for Donald.

"It's a dream, I'm living it and rapt at the moment, but obviously sitting on the bench is not something that I'm used to," Donald told the Waikato Times..

"The way rugby is, my chances are going to come so I've just got to work hard when I'm in there and try and improve my game.

"I feel my game is improving massively just training every day in that environment.

"It's the best of the best sort of thing, so when you're training there you can feel yourself improving all the time and I know a lot of my skills, my kicking skills, have improved massively since I've been in there."

But there was no keeping him out of Waikato training during his break-time from international duty.

Donald couldn't resist joining in for the morning session on Fred Jones Park for two reasons: sheer loyalty to the Waikato jersey and a desire to be part of anything resembling a rugby match after a limited role for the national side.

"We've got until Thursday off, I came in this morning and did some of my own fitness work and then I'd just be sitting around home probably and I love getting back to the Waikato team so I just got out there with the boys and had a bit of fun with them," Donald said.

Keen for game time after his appearances since the Super 14 have been limited to three Test caps off the bench for the All Blacks, Donald was an eager participant at practice with his provincial side.

While he waits for his opportunity at international level, Donald is also loyal to the end when it comes to Waikato and keen to help them any way he can.

Kiwi rugby fans were provided with the first Air New Zealand Cup upset of the year last Thursday when Waikato were downed 10-18 by a spirited Northland side in Whangarei.

"I was also trying to help the boys get up," said Donald.

"They've obviously had a tough start (to the Air New Zealand Cup) and I just tried to get in there and gee them up a little, boost their confidence a bit."

Donald said he had learnt first hand over the last couple of weeks what it was like being an All Black when the team lost and people turned on them.

"It's a fickle world and I guess now I know what it's all about," he said.

"The boys' backs were against the wall, a lot of things were getting questioned about the All Blacks' aura. But I think they did as much as anyone could in 80 minutes the other night for it."