Former All Black first-five and World Cup legend Stephen Donald has revealed the public backlash he endured before his fateful 2011 World Cup campaign - criticisms he says even made him hide from the New Zealand public.
Donald was the hero for the All Blacks in the final kicking the penalty goal that ultimately separated New Zealand and France in a tight decider, which ended the former's 24-year Webb Ellis Cup drought.
Injuries to Dan Carter and Colin Slade prior to the final, and Aaron Cruden during the first half, paved the way for the man nicknamed 'Beaver' to step in and command the 10 jersey for the final 46 minutes in Auckland.
The match made Donald a national hero, but it wasn't that long before he was ridiculed for his performances in the black jersey, none more damaging than the loss to the Wallabies in the fourth Bledisloe Cup test in Hong Kong in 2010.
Donald replaced Dan Carter in the 61st minute to see out that match, and with his side up 24-19, failed to kick the ball out and instead into the hands of the Wallabies with under a minute to play.