Wallabies playmaker on his way to the Western Force from the Waratahs
The Western Force and Rugby Australia have announced that Wallabies fly-half Ben Donaldson has joined the Perth-based outfit until 2025, committing for the next two seasons.
Donaldson will bolster the Force’s fly-half stocks with his versatility, adding depth to the playmaking role.
With 37 Super Rugby appearances for the New South Wales Waratahs, Donaldson is renowned as a quick, goal-kicking fly-half, impressing with his calm and composed nature in high-pressure situations.
The 24-year-old made his Test debut for Australia against Italy in November 2022 after shining for Australia A. Recently he was named in Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones’ April training camp as one of the two fly-halves.
Keen to join the Force
Donaldson is keen to link up with Force head coach Simon Cron once again after they worked together at the Waratahs from 2018 to 2019.
“I’m really excited to continue my career in Perth. I’m really impressed by the program that Simon and the coaches are running and also by the squad that’s developing at the Western Force,” said Donaldson.
“He [Simon Cron] drives really high standards and expects a lot out of his players, and for me personally, it will be really helpful for my game to have a coach like Crono to drive those standards.
“The team has plenty of talent, playing some unreal footy this season and I’m looking forward to earning the respect of the supporters and my teammates and getting an opportunity to contribute my skills and work ethic to the squad.
“With the news of Nic White heading over, I think it will be a great experience and partnership to play with him. Also, working and competing with the other number 10s is really exciting and will hopefully help the club on a whole.
It’s a really exciting time in Australian Rugby at the moment and I’m looking forward to continuing to improve as a player and fight for opportunities for higher honours.”
Cron attests that Donalson’s proven ability will add much-needed depth to the Force squad.
“As a team we need to grow our positional competition. It’s critical that we have competition in each position so when we train, the intensity and accuracy tests our execution. Ultimately practice execution, becomes game reality,” he commented.
‘A world-class player’
“Dono [Donaldson] is a world-class player and a great human who will add to our squad. In talking with the other 10’s, they are excited to have him onboard because it will only make everyone push to be their best.
“He is a triple threat in attack with a running game and kick & pass skillsets, which means the defence must think. Combine this with his drive to learn and the desire to be his best, we are excited to get him over here.
We look forward to putting him in different situations and scenarios that will help him develop as a player and give him the structures around him that he needs to be successful.”
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