Rugby: Donald plays into form as Waikato win

Stephen Donald of Waikato makes a break during the ITM Cup match between Waikato and Tasman. Photo / Getty Images

Former All Black Stephen Donald continued his return to form, featuring prominently as Waikato accounted for Tasman 33-15 in their national provincial rugby championship match in Hamilton tonight.

In his first start of the season, Donald grew in assurance as the match progressed.

He didn't miss a kick all night, and attacked the Tasman line with pace and aggression as Waikato eked out 17 hard-earned second half points after leading 16-10 at halftime.

Although a little rusty off the bench in last week's 6-7 loss to Southland, Donald looked impressive tonight in racking up 18 points.

He showed no signs of the chest injury which had seen him sidelined for much of the NPC, and will have done his chances of a recall for the All Blacks' end-of-season northern hemisphere tour no harm at all.

Donald rediscovered his touch with the boot, sinking three first half penalties, including a confidence-boosting 40m effort in the third minute.

Tasman halfback Steve Alfeld levelled the scores with a penalty barely a minute later, then Tasman hit the front through wing Afeleki Pelenise after recycling possession in a prolonged assault on the Waikato line.

Ahead 10-3 after first five-eighth James Marshall added the extras, Tasman held strong until the 25th minute when No 8 Alex Bradley went over for the first of his two tries of the evening.

Waikato, who made good use of the pick and go all night, recycled possession through 14 phases before Bradley barged over from close in.

With Tasman heavily penalised at the breakdown, Waikato took a six-point lead into the break, which was extended barely two minutes after the restart by Bradley after Donald busted through the Tasman line in a bullocking midfield run.

Five minutes later, Tasman were down to 14 men after openside flanker Shane Christie earned the ire of refereeGarratt Williamson for not releasing.

Waikato crossed for their third try while he was on the sideline, moving the ball wide to flying winger Save Tokula who proved too quick for the defence to cover.

Tasman regained a glimmer of hope with a try to prop Craig

Moore, who proved impossible to stop from close range with 20 minutes remaining.

Waikato continued to dominate possession and territory but

the harder they tried for the bonus point try, the more the handling errors seemed to mount up.

As a result, Tasman were allowed back into the match and although the result was never in doubt, staunch work from the Tasman defence kept their line intact in the closing 20 minutes

- NZPA