All Blacks: Donald not ducking responsibilities

Stephen Donald takes part in an All Blacks' training session. Photo / Getty Images

He's no Daniel Carter but the All Blacks back-up first five-eighth does a passable impression of a Welshman called Stephen Jones and Ireland's Jonathan Sexton.

Cloning the opposition's backline plays at training sessions has become Stephen Donald's chief responsibility once it became apparent Carter would be heavily involved throughout a five-test tour which culminates with the Welsh bid to prevent the All Blacks achieving a fourth Grand Slam at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday (NZT).

The first time Donald was involved in an end-of-year tour in 2008, he started two tests at first five-eighth - the inaugural Hong Kong Bledisloe Cup clash with Carter outside him in midfield, and the Scotland international at Murrayfield.

He also got time off the bench against Ireland a week later while 12 months ago he made three appearances as a substitute Australia, Italy and France before started against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

However, the Waikato pivot has not been so gainfully employed on this trip - that forgettable 20-minute stint against the Wallabies in Hong Kong because Carter was still recovering from ankle surgery possibly sealed his fate, although Graham Henry has consciously selected the core of experienced personnel on a weekly basis wherever possible.

Carter was excused training today as he rests his fragile ankle though he is expected to be available for a season-ending assignment that should also see him surpass Jonny Wilkinson's haul of 1178 test points.

His peripheral role today meant Donald approached practice from another angle -- running what appeared to be the shadow test backline was a rarity for the 26-year-old.

Normally he has the red bib on, the trademark of the reserve or the squad member who sits in the stands on Saturdays.

Donald was granted the final half hour against Scotland on November 14 (NZT) - Carter departed with game over at 35-3 - and set up the final try for Andy Ellis.

Otherwise his work has been carried out behind the scenes with the likes of Richie McCaw's deputy Daniel Braid, reserve prop John Afoa and fourth choice wing Joe Rokocoko.

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith, a staunch defender of Donald in the aftermath of his tough night against the Wallabies, said his contribution to the tour should not be understated.

"He hasn't had a lot of opportunities but what he's done for us, he's done well," Smith said.

"You don't see a lot of things he does, he has to run the opposition plays against us.

"He does a lot of research and applies it well on the field. He organises the others around him well.

"That's quite a major role within the team. His on-field opportunities have been few and far between but that's been the case for some other players as well."

Smith conceded this tour had confirmed what they already knew about Donald, the frontrunner as Carter's understudy at the World Cup - subject to form fluctuations in next year's Super 15.

"We know he's got character, we know he's handled some (tough) things before and he'll handle it again," he said, adding competition for the reserve playmaker role would still be intense next year.

"We've shown our hand with Stephen," Smith said.

"We think he's a good player and he fits in well with this environment but it is going to be a competitive position next year."

Aaron Cruden and Colin Slade are the leading contenders with Smith noting they both had the perfect opportunity to restate their cases when guiding the Hurricanes and Highlanders respectively.

- NZPA