All Blacks: Donald wins points for keeping cool

Stephen Donald has emerged from the rubble of Bloemfontein with his reputation enhanced and further up in the team pecking order. Photo / Getty Images

Stephen Donald and Morne Steyn struggle for universal support in New Zealand and South African rugby but not, it seems, from those closest to them this week.

The second-choice first five-eighths bring contrasting backdrops to the Tri-Nations test here on Sunday morning (NZT), with both determined to be match-winners.

Donald was among the steadier New Zealand heads in last weekend's 28-19 loss at Bloemfontein, defending staunchly, composed in general play under smothering pressure while missing just one of six mainly tricky shots at goal.

All Black management are starting to tire of questions about world-class No 10 Daniel Carter, who is returning to fitness at a decent clip.

This week assistant coach Wayne Smith turned it around by launching into praise for Donald, who has emerged from the rubble of Bloemfontein with his reputation enhanced and further up in the team pecking order.

"He's an international player, genuinely, I feel," former All Black No 10 Smith said.

"He's kicked big goals under pressure, he reads the game well, he's starting to direct it well. We've got a lot of confidence in him."

Those watching the All Blacks' stroll around Vodacom Park 24 hours out from last week's test were mildly surprised to see Donald the most animated of anybody when they stopped on four different occasions and huddled up.

Captain Richie McCaw had his say too, but Donald grabbed the attention of teammates in a manner that reflected his new status in the team, according to Smith.

"It takes time to develop those relationships and that sort of mana within the group to be able to do that," he said. "Your confidence grows, the belief of others in you grows and that's the state we're in at the moment with Stephen.

"He's got good understanding and he's at a good position within the team."

Smith said he had not needed to prod the 25-year-old to take on a leadership role. It had just happened.

"He's got the personality to do it. He's a strong person and that's what you need.

"It's not like he's someone that you've got to really encourage to talk or encourage to direct."

Pushed again on a return later in the Tri-Nations for Carter, who starts for Canterbury this weekend, Smith shrugged his shoulders.

"Who knows? Possibly," he said.

"At the moment I'm just focusing on this week, on who we've got, not on who we haven't got."

Another No 10 in the headlines this week is Steyn, replacing the injured Ruan Pienaar in the only Springbok starting change from Bloemfontein.

Bulls marksman Steyn has many backers in South Africa but there are those who believe he is too one-dimensional. There are also questions about his defence after he was fended with ease by Conrad Smith during the All Black centre's classy try last week.

Springbok captain John Smit preferred to focus on Steyn's matchwinning traits, which have come almost exclusively via his right boot for the Bulls and Springboks. Most memorable was the 54m penalty at the death in just his second test at Pretoria to seal a series defeat of the Lions.

"Morne has had a fairytale season and he has really excelled in all the teams he has played for," Smit said.

"He has had a number of big match moments and each time he has stepped up and passed the test.

"It says heaps about him as a player. And that composure is very much part of his personality on and off the field."

Smit said Steyn plays deeper and runs less than Pienaar but that does not mean the man from Pretoria cannot ignite an attack.

"You don't score 61 points in a Super 14 final without your five-eighths getting the backline going," said Smit in reference to the Bulls' 61-17 humiliation of the Chiefs.

- NZPA