Wynne Gray: Number 10 upsets Wallaby plans

Stephen Donald. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

Timing is everything in rugby and Stephen Donald showed a nifty sense in recovering from his dodgy hamstring.

When the medics agreed the five-eighth was fully fit to face the Aussies this weekend at Eden Park, the major selection concern for Graham Henry evaporated. Donald's revival sorted the No 10 vacancy.

It was a no-brainer. He is a first five-eighth or at least he has spent a fair wedge of time there with the Chiefs, he has extended experience, he has done the hard yards, he has been learning the role in the All Blacks.

McAlister was a reluctant alternative who was struggling with his game, injury and adapting to the rhythm of the game again in New Zealand after two seasons offshore.

Donald's misfortune is that he and other current five-eighths will always be compared with Daniel Carter.

The All Blacks have been spoiled having Carter guide the side in 59 tests just as they were favoured by other superb players like Andrew Mehrtens and Grant Fox in the past two decades.

Donald is just getting into his work at national level.

His game is not as fluid or rounded as he would like, that is the challenge for him in the next few seasons.

But what he may lack in some areas is balanced by other characteristics like his courage, commitment and his conditioning, qualities which have not always accompanied more gifted playmakers. Donald also has a sharp brain which will help balance any deficiencies.

He is the first All Black from Waiuku College and shares the honours board at his local footy club with Kevin Skinner and Pat Walsh who came to the club after making the national side.

Rally driver Stumpy Holmes lives in the area while Bishop John Paterson and Zinzan Brooke were also born in the district.

Donald's family still live there, the five-eighth owns the local Wolf and Beaver bar which carries his nickname while the rugby club has proudly hung Donald's All Black picture on the clubroom wall.

It looks comfortable. Donald may not be feeling quite that way as he contemplates his first Bledisloe Cup start this Saturday.

He has been involved in three duels with the Wallabies.

He got five minutes last year at Eden Park, 29 minutes at Brisbane when he came on as second five-eighth and then 49 minutes before he was subbed in Hong Kong.

Donald's mini-Lazarus triumph to return from a hamstring injury confounded the medics and Graham Henry and upset the Wallabies' planning.

That upward curve must continue for the All Blacks if they are to begin their latest Bledisloe Cup-Tri-Nations quest with a victory.