Experiment start of big things for Waikato duo

The combination of Stephen Donald (pictured) and David Hill comes on the back of top individual performances at Junior All Black and NZ Maori level. Picture / Fotopress

Seven months ago, Stephen Donald was contemplating life as a walking, talking tackle-bag.

Now he is an integral part of Waikato's NPC campaign, has been a Junior All Black, had an All Black trial and is being whispered of as a fringe contender to replace the injured Daniel Carter.

In truth, the latter would be a giant leap for the All Black selectors, and even the amiable 21-year-old laughs at the notion.

"I'm not reading too much into it," Donald said of being tipped in a group of possibles for next Saturday's Tri-Nations test against the Springboks at Dunedin.

"I haven't been following it too much, just keeping my head down. But it's certainly nice to even get mentioned in the same breath as some of the other boys getting bandied about."

Still, it's been a big year for Donald, who made the Chiefs Super 12 squad but spent the first half of the competition on the outside looking in, doing the training chores that are the backup players' lot, with the experienced David Hill the encumbent first five-eighth.

But coach Ian Foster decided to mix things up for the round seven game against the Sharks; Donald at No 10, Hill at No 12. The result: 40-5, with one of six tries to Donald. He, and the combination, did not look back.

There were another couple of tries for Donald, Hill kept kicking the goals and the Chiefs made a strong late but unsuccessful run for a semifinal spot.

With Donald having switched from second-division Counties Manukau, Waikato should also benefit from having the twin-pronged organisational platform in place for the NPC.

"It's starting to feel real good," Donald said.

"We know what the other expects now and it's great having another guy with a first-five's mentality in midfield.

"David's looking for the same things you are, but he's got a little more time to digest it all. And it's critical to have more than one playmaker the way the game is going."

Hill admitted he was not totally sold on the idea when Foster first mooted it.

"Fozzie didn't want me playing any different. It was a case of sharing some responsibilities with the kicking game and having another guy who was making decisions out there," Hill said.

"It's funny the way things turn out. Initially I was probably a bit sceptical, but as it went on I quickly figured out it was a pretty good opportunity, and was no less a natural role than I was in at No 10.

"Steve and I get on well on and off the field and that makes the whole process easier."

Donald insists that what happened at the Chiefs was hugely beneficial to his rugby development.

"It proved to me I could hack it at Super 12. I wouldn't have got on the Juniors tour if it hadn't been for Super 12 and I got an All Black trial because of it, so I'm rapt at what it's done for me."

Similarly, Hill was on the Junior All Black trip to Australia, and kicked crucial points in New Zealand Maori's dramatic 19-13 win over the Lions at Hamilton in June.

Foster has been replaced by his old Waikato chum, Warren Gatland, for the NPC, and Donald said the new ideas were refreshing.

"The players are excited to be working with him. He's got a big track record, had success with Ireland, and big success with Wasps.

"We're loving the new concepts, together with [assistants] Tony Hanks and Duane Monkley. We're pretty excited to be honest."

Waikato got better against Taranaki last week after a scratchy start, and a win over Southland at Invercargill will keep the province among the first-division pacesetters.

"Frontrunners? That sounds a pretty good way to do it," Donald quipped.

Southland will have other ideas, but Waikato's campaign can gain some real steam on Sunday.