Rugby: Donald makes a solid return

Stephen Donald was prominent yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

Counties Manukau 8
Waikato 30

All Black first five-eighths Stephen Donald returned to his old home ground in Pukekohe yesterday to help inspire Waikato to a much-needed Air New Zealand Cup 30-8 championship win over the Counties-Manukau Steelers.

Donald had an excellent 80 minutes against the union where he started his first class career and, with his skill and control, proved one of the main differences between the sides in a lively, if error-riddled, game which was more evenly contested than the final margin suggested.

The Steelers dominated the first spell but instead of having the lead at the break found themselves trailing 8-13, largely because of the try late in the half by Donald.

From an attacking scrum, Donald charged at the Counties line and used his power and strength to score the try.

Having been outplayed for much of the first spell, Waikato took charge of the second spell, overpowering the Steelers scrum and that dominance was fully exploited by Donald and his five-eighths partner Callum Bruce.

Preferred to Donald as the goal-kicker, Bruce scored a try early in the second spell, again on the platform of a superior scrum, and then created another for wing Dwayne Sweeney. In all, Bruce contributed 20 of Waikato's points.

Waikato's win lifted it from the bottom of the table and, as well as Donald, there was a good return from their other returning All Blacks - hooker Aled de Malmanche and halfback Brendon Leonard.

But such was the second half territorial and possession edge Waikato, despite the welcome win, probably had some cause for disappointment. Mistakes, mishandling and wrong options meant they didn't secure what could have been an invaluable bonus point try.

In the first spell there were times when the Steelers played with some of the flair and enterprise of the halcyon Counties' days of the 1970s. That was never better illustrated than in the 80-metre counter attack led by wing Leila Masaga and first five-eighths Tasesa Lavea which brought Lavea his try.

But the Steelers had only themselves to blame for not gaining the half-time lead. Despite adventurous running by Masaga, the other wing Sherwin Stowers and fullback Ahsee Tuala, they failed to convert several chances.

And after a fine day with his boot in last weekend's win over Taranaki, second five-eighths Tim Namai-Williams had a horror return, landing only one penalty and missing three other attempts.

Their cause in the second spell, especially with Waikato, through forwards like Liam Messam and Kevin O'Neill, taking control, was not helped, either, by Stowers being foolishly sin-binned for a blatant professional foul.

Counties Manukau 8 (T Lavea try, T Nanai-Williams pen),

Waikato 30 (S Donald, C Bruce, D Sweeney tries, Bruce 3 cons, 3 pens). Halftime: 13-8.