Stephen Donald says THAT kick wasn’t meant to find touch

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Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:33a.m.

Stephen Donald (Photosport)

Stephen Donald (Photosport)

All Black Stephen Donald has spoken to media about his performance in the final minutes of the All Blacks 26-24 loss to Australia the weekend before last in Hong Kong.

The re-called All Black has been widely criticised for not kicking the ball into touch at the end of the game.

Instead the ball remained infield off Donald’s boot, allowing Wallaby teenager James O’Connor to cross the line and convert his own try to hand Australia their first victory over the All Blacks since 2008.

Donald says he didn’t miss touch but intended to keep the ball in play, which proved a costly error.

 "That was just trying to get it down field. I'm pretty sure the hooter hadn't gone, so I thought there was still time so that wasn't going to be it,” he told media in Edinburgh ahead of Sunday morning All Blacks Test against Scotland.

He says his confidence is still intact after the error.

"As far as confidence goes I still back myself. I'm probably in the best physical shape of my life and my skill level is right up there. It's just a matter of making a bit better decisions than I did there in Hong Kong."

Donald says the All Blacks coaches had talked to him about the errors he made against Australia and he is confident he wouldn’t repeat them.

The Waikato first-five will be hoping to be in the side to play Scotland which will be named on Thursday.

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Comments

24 Oct 2011 01:00a.m.

Jeff wrote:

hey Stephen Donald just won us the world cup, he sure is a genuine All Black now...

09 Nov 2010 09:29p.m.

FJ wrote:

I really wonder who Donald is trying to get to believe in him? From my observations he is a player who isn't and never will be regarded as a genuine All Black; the mistakes are ongoing he just doesn't have the nous to play top level rugby. The decent thing for the "jokers" to do would be to point him towards the door!!!
Do I understand correctly that Tialata has been called into the squad? 'Jokers' never learn.Potentially they will lose the best hooker, as backup, they took Hore who can't play...Now what sense does that make???? Where are the players of promise who may go on to replace the current crop of All Blacks? Oh I know; they do not have a clue. They feel comfortable with their favourites who no matter what continue to be selected. The problem isn't the lack of quality players it's the selection of players who aren't up to it.



09 Nov 2010 04:21p.m.

Rob wrote:

Here's hoping playing against a lesser team, sorry Scotland, like ya did against some provincil sides back home, makes ya look real good again Donald so as ya finally get that overseas contract and then that'll mean that the selectors don't have to ponder your playing future anymore for our sake.
Note: Any pivot position player, that's up with the play and "on to it" would be well aware of the time on the clock and what was required - kicking the ball as far into the stand as possible.

09 Nov 2010 01:42p.m.

Stew wrote:

That just makes it worse, a dumb decision as opposed to a bad kick - re-enforces the general opinion that he should not be in the team.