'I don't care': Donaldson unfazed by rivals' hype as Tahs playmaker opens up on slow start

He might have been described as the “forgotten man” of the Australian fly-half debate by his coach Darren Coleman, but Ben Donaldson says he doesn’t care.

After making his Wallabies debut on last year’s end of season Spring Tour and starting against Wales during their final Test against Wales, there were high hopes the 24-year-old would make a fast start to the season.

With the ability to play flat at the line and a long kicking game, the Randwick playmaker had even caught Eddie Jones’ eye with the returning Wallabies mentor namedropping Donaldson several times before the Super Rugby season.

Despite the building expectations, Donaldson started the season at fullback.

But his desire to hit the ground running was slowed by his side’s early season struggles, which were compounded by Angus Bell’s devasting injury.

Ben Donaldson laid on the Waratahs’ crucial bonus point try against the Melbourne Rebels at Allianz Stadium, on May 13, 2023, in Sydney. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Tane Edmed’s back troubles saw Donaldson shift to fly-half, but neither he nor the Waratahs managed to find their grove.

Nonetheless, Donaldson was controversially selected in Jones’ initial Wallabies April training squad With Jones stating he had seen enough for Australia A and on last year’s Spring Tour to warrant further introspection.

On Saturday night, Donaldson finally had reason to smile after steering the Waratahs to their third straight victory.

For 75 minutes it was Donaldson’s boot that stood out, but at long last we saw the playmaker run to the line and find space as he opened up and linked up with his teammate Izaia Perese to seal an important bonus point victory.

While his teammates rushed to him, Donaldson breathed sigh of relief, barely breaking out a smile.

“It feels bloody awesome,” the playmaker told reporters.

Asked to sum up the feeling after a difficult year, Donaldson said he was relieved to have stayed in the fight.

“It always feels good when you make some breaks and you do some nice stuff individually,” he said.

“It’s been a bit of a slow start this season for myself and the team and we haven’t really performed to the level that we’re capable of.

“It’s pretty pleasing to see the way the team performed and then for myself, just to cap it off at the end there, I’m pretty proud of myself.”

Ben Donaldson is slowly coming back to form. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

For months his opposite on Saturday night, Carter Gordon, had been attracting the headlines after finally finding his feet on the professional stage.

During the opening 20 minutes it was easy to see why as the Rebels got front-foot ball and Gordon showed off his impressive skill set.

But playing behind a beaten and ill-discipline forward pack, Gordon was played out of the game and Donaldson slowly showed what he’s capable of.

It led to Coleman reminding everyone that Gordon wasn’t the only young playmaker in Australia.

“He’s a bit of a forgotten man, and it’s our own doing, but I’m just happy for him,” Coleman said.

Donaldson said the lack of attention wasn’t fazing him and he was just happy to play his part in helping the Waratahs keep their finals hopes firmly alive.

“To be honest, I don’t really care,” he said.

“Carter’s been playing some bloody good footy and Noah’s starting to step up now as well, and I think it’s just good for Australian rugby.

“I try not to read too much into it, but it’s always pleasing when I can step up and play a game like tonight. It just gives me that confidence and especially coming out of that camp with Carter, it just gives me a lot of confidence when I start to put my foot down and help the boys out there.”

Despite being picked by Jones, Donaldson revealed it was Wallabies defence coach Brett Hodgson who had been working closer with him in 2023.

“A little bit (of feedback from Jones),” Donaldson said.

“We’ve been getting a bit of feedback from Hodgo, the defence coach, he’s always sending clips through and a few chats here and there with Eddie.

“But the main feedback was just to build my kicking game. He obviously wants a 10 who can kick really smart and accurately, and then just be busy and get your hands on the ball and play flat at the line like I tried to do tonight.”

While neither Donaldson nor the Waratahs were perfect against the Rebels, Donaldson said his side were slowly building confidence and had taken heart out of the Reds’ extraordinary victory across the ditch against the ladder-leading Chiefs.

“We’ve spoken about it, you just need to make the top eight and then it’s anyone’s chance,” he said.

“There’s a good jump in our step in the change room tonight and over the past three weeks, and if that vibe just keeps building and we keep building that consistency, the finals should be good for us.”