All Blacks: Donald likely to get reprieve

Stephen Donald. Photo / Getty Images

Persona-non-grata, possibly even in his beloved Waikato, Stephen Donald still has friends in high places after his Hong Kong horror show - the All Blacks selectors will allow him to pay penance at Twickenham.

It should be a short-term arrangement though, as Daniel Carter is expected to play more than an hour-long shift in the Grand Slam campaign opener against England on Sunday (NZ time).

Donald has kept a low profile since his final-quarter cameo on Saturday inspired the Wallabies to a 26-24 victory at Hong Kong Stadium. Carter's understudy has been castigated at home but there is still a positive vibe for Donald inside the All Blacks camp.

"With Stephen, we all love him," All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith said. "Everyone's got great belief in Stephen. He's got real character.

"I think he's got the character to come through and nail it."

A former All Blacks first five-eighths himself, Smith acknowledged that, regardless of the support of teammates, Donald would have to deal with it himself.

Donald's fluffed penalty kick, then a clearance that didn't find touch, handed Australia the initiative during a frantic, final few minutes. A blatant high tackle on Adam Ashley-Cooper that went unpunished was scant salvation - it might have been kinder had he been cited.

Instead, a 21st cap looms for Donald after Smith declared wholesale changes were not a consideration despite the All Blacks producing such a performance that, in his words, they "did not deserve to win".

Donald, as the only specialist back-up to Carter, should avoid the axe after the selectors opted not to draft in a backs replacement for the non-travelling Sitiveni Sivivatu.

There will be one enforced change. Despite his upbeat prognosis on bruised ribs, Cory Jane will be watching from the stands, his Wellington teammate Hosea Gear the logical replacement on the right wing.

There could be some tinkering on the bench, with Ben Franks possibly preferred to John Afoa as the substitute prop, while Isaia Toeava should retain his role as Sonny Bill Williams continues getting to grips with team patterns on his rookie tour.

England are expected to make two changes, with giant prop Andrew Sheridan and Rotorua-born hooker Dylan Hartley likely to replace Tim Payne and Steve Thomson.

- NZPA