By Jeff McTainsh
As far as All Black refresher courses go, they don’t get much more full-on than lock Tom Donnelly’s.
Last month he made his return to the game for his club in Central Otago, followed that up with a test against Wales and now faces the prospect of the world champion Springboks at Eden Park.
“They’ll be a bit of a step up for sure,” says Donnelly.
“It’s a big step up from club rugby in Central Otago, but you know I’ve played a lot of these guys at this level and there’s just a bit more intensity, a bit quicker and just another game of rugby.”
As for his whirlwind return to top level footy, Donnelly admits it hasn’t just been about battling his way back to full fitness.
“The old voices in your head start playing a few tricks on you during that time, but you sort of set yourself a goal and keep working towards it,” he says.
“If you let the voices inside your head get to loud things can become pretty crazy.”
Saturday night’s Tri-Nations opener will also be the Otago lock’s first test against South Africa and although he’s looking forward to measuring his game against the likes of talisman lock Victor Matfield, he doesn’t buy the media hype surrounding the South African skipper.
“He’s only one man like everyone else…he’s probably pretty smart… but everyone’s on the same page… he’s just another man”.
The All Blacks lost all three Tri-Nations tests against South Africa last year and Donnelly believes they’ll need to attack the set piece and in particular their world class lineout if they’re to have a chance winning this time around.
“We try and do that… we don’t try and just stay on the ground… but often at times you sort of get beaten and are in no mans land… we try and get in the air every chance we get”.
Chances against South Africa though aren’t likely to come as often as they did against Ireland and Wales.
“They’ll be a bit more clinical,” he says.
“They probably wont make as many mistakes and give us as many opportunities as Wales did… the one or two opportunities they do give we’ve really got to take.”
One key to the success of the All Blacks will be the form of first-five Daniel Carter.
After a substandard Super 14 campaign the Canterbury magician has made an impressive start to the test season scoring 61 points in three matches and is relishing the chance of measuring himself against the world’s best.
“I’m pretty happy with the way I played in June,” says Carter.
“But the Tri-Nations are another step up against one of the best teams in the world so you really need to deliver and step up to these challenges.”
Carter isn’t the only player looking to make a statement against the world champions. Second five Ma’a Nonu is also ready to be let off the leash after making his return from injury and is all to aware of the competition for the number 12 jersey heading into World Cup year.
“Obviously it’s an important game,” says Nonu.
“At the end of the day you only wear the jersey once a week, no one owns the jersey… you just wear it and just have to perform all the time.”
With Sonny Bill Williams set to stake his claim for a spot in the midfield, Luke McAlister lurking on the fringes and Benson Stanley in the mix, Nonu admits he does feel the pressure to perform.
“There’s always pressure there, putting on the jersey is one thing, but getting pressure from the outside is always a factor…but we play professional rugby and you have to rule the factor out and just play your game.”
If Nonu is at his best he could play a key role in an All Blacks victory at Eden Park, a ground the All Blacks haven’t lost at since 1994 and a place South Africa haven’t tasted victory since 1937.
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