Stephen Donald says winning the provincial premiership with ‘a great bunch of men’ would be a special last accomplishment before he heads overseas. Photo / Getty Images
Stephen Donald says winning the provincial premiership with ‘a great bunch of men’ would be a special last accomplishment before he heads overseas. Photo / Getty Images
Stephen Donald doesn't feel as if he needs to silence his critics ahead of his final game in New Zealand before he heads to England to take up a three-year contract with Bath.
The 27-year-old playmaker has often been the subject of negative feedback from New Zealand's demanding rugby public,after some inconsistent performances in the All Black jersey over the past two years. Rarely before has a fringe international been the subject of so much debate that he might enjoy a more anonymous existence in Britain.
But Donald has been a very good player at domestic level and will leave New Zealand as one of the most prolific points scorers. He topped the Super 14 list in 2007 and was second behind Dan Carter in 2008, and played 22 tests for the All Blacks after his debut against England in 2008.
Rather than worry about his detractors, Donald said he was focused on piloting Waikato to victory in their ITM Cup premiership final over Canterbury in Hamilton on Saturday.
"I'm pretty comfortable in my own skin," he said. "I would have loved to have been part of the World Cup and the All Blacks squad but that's the reality of it and it's just now a matter of time to nailing a Waikato performance and getting Waikato another championship because we haven't got too many to our name. It would be nice if this team gets one and that's what it's about for me.
"Proving points are one thing, but winning titles and stuff like that with a great bunch of men that we've got here would be the special thing."
Waikato will need to do something that hasn't been done for some time.
Canterbury have won the past three national championships, including a 33-13 win over Waikato in Christchurch in last year's final, and have been the dominant provincial side in recent times. "They'd have to be raging favourites, wouldn't they?" Donald quipped.
The first five-eighths didn't think Canterbury held the wood psychologically over the country's other provinces, despite their imposing record.
"As far as mental edges go, I don't know. Yeah, they won some finals away from home. They're a professional team, so it doesn't matter where they play, but I guess we are just worried about us and worried about what we can do.
"We are really hoping we get a full Waikato Stadium and make it as intimidating a venue as we can get and hopefully cheer us on to victory."
Both sides have a few former All Blacks in their ranks and, with a bullocking Liam Messam on the blindside of the scrum for the home side, Waikato will be no pushovers.
Donald's partnership with halfback Brendon Leonard will be vital if Waikato want to win their first title since 2006.
