Stephen Donald backs All Blacks veteran against ‘monster’ opponents after first recall in 12 months
Stephen Donald claims All Blacks can't afford to 'discard' veteran back as overseas club swoops
2011 Rugby World Cup hero Stephen Donald has reflected on the recent All Blacks squad announcement ahead of the upcoming Rugby Championship, highlighting two bright sparks within the group.
The injury-hit All Blacks have named four uncapped players in this progressive squad, while various players return to the side after recovering from injury.
Back line speedsters
Noting the inclusion of potential debutant Leroy Carter as an important selection by head coach Scott Robertson, Donald said: “Right from round one [of the Super Rugby season], he did a couple of beautiful things. He just couldn’t help but score tries, and he has a dynamic ability which I think suits the game.
“Outside of Rieko (Ioane), we don’t have anyone that’s absolutely rapid, so it would be good to have somebody else in the squad with that sort of pace.”
The 26-year-old was a bronze medal winner at the 2022 Commonwealth Games with New Zealand Sevens, also appearing at the 2024 Olympic Games, and is currently one of the fastest players in New Zealand rugby.
His inclusion in the All Blacks squad gives yet another indication that the skills of sevens players are being utilised more and more in the modern game. His ability to play in multiple positions along the backline – centre, wing and even half back – will add huge weight to his claim for match-day selection.
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Scrum-half woes
Moving on to the injury crisis at scrum-half, Kyle Preston, who didn’t even have a professional contract at the start of the season, also arrives in the squad as injury cover, an inclusion that Donald is very excited about.
“He started the season very impressively,” said Donald. “Hit a hat-trick in the first game, and when you start doing things like that, you’re gonna become a person of interest to the All Blacks selectors.
Naming Preston’s “booming boot” as a key part of his game, Donald said: “The weaknesses of all our top half-backs, when you compare it to the rest of their game, the box kick is something they’ve probably all got to sharpen up on.
“But Preston has an outstanding box kick, he’s a running threat, he has great support lines, which his multiple of tries this year, a lot were off support lines, which Cortez Ratima is also outstanding at.”
With a number of young and inexperienced players within the squad, the 41-year-old pundit also called for experienced heads to steady the ship, highlighting scrum-half Finlay Christie for his level-headedness.
“Finlay Christie is a contrast to everything else in New Zealand rugby. He’s more of an organiser, more of a defensive nine, more of a leader and a tactical sort of number nine,” he explained.
“He’s gonna help run the show, all that comes with experience and that’s why you need him in the mix. We can’t discard him, as the fact is, we’ve now got big tests coming up.
“Argentina and the Springboks are monster Test matches, and without Cam Roigard, without Noah [Hotham], you’ve got Cortez Ratima and then who else? You’ve got a whole lot of young guys yet to be proven [at international level].”
