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Donald is living the dream

Stephen Donald's passion for his country is clear and despite the unmatched criticism and scrutiny, the 19-capped All Black has no plans to give up his black jersey without a fight.

Wednesday, 03 March 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Stephen Donald's passion for his country is clear and despite the unmatched criticism and scrutiny, the 19-capped All Black has no plans to give up his black jersey without a fight.

Daniel Carter – well enough said - and last year's Air New Zealand Cup saw the emergence of teammate and fellow pivot Mike Delany.

Such was his electrifying form for Bay of Plenty, Delany was selected and trialled on the end-of-year tour to Europe with mixed success.

Donald however, was shunted from the grandstand, to the bench and spent more time at second-five-eighths than playing first-receiver, but by his own admission "playing first five-eighths is what I know and what I have always done".

The 26-year-old is a strong runner and prolific point scorer in all competitions having topped the chart in the 2007 Super 14, he was second in the 2008 standings and is currently on 63 points from the Chiefs three road victories, 14 less than one Morne Steyn.

With all the pot-shots at his inability to take the step up to international rugby and the constant comparisons to you know who, you could hardly blame Donald if he was foundering thoughts of an overseas contract.

"I'm here for another three years," he said.

"I'm very happy living in New Zealand as far as I'm concerned it's the best place and lifestyle in the world and it's not something I'm too keen to give up.

"Obviously I can't make the All Blacks from overseas and I want to give myself that chance for as long as I can."

Donald is completing a business management degree at Waikato University and played three seasons for the Junior All Blacks before being given his first taste of the 'real' black jersey in 2008 against England at Eden Park.

"It's everything you dream of and more and is the greatest feeling of your life," the former Counties Manukau man said.

"It's humbling, something that you struggle to believe at times and it's tough to put into words how much it means."

Enjoying his first round one win since joining the Chiefs in 2005 was a highlight for Donald, but the team is not satisfied with its form despite the perfect record.

"We are far from happy with how we are going but at least we are still picking up wins and there's heaps of room for improvement.

"We show up everyday because we believe we have a group that can threaten this championship."

And while he pays little attention to the knockers, he admits they will always be there.

"The critics don't play on my mind, but you've got to have a pretty thick skin. A lot of stuff gets written and said and you don't have much control over it so you have to just let it go."

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