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Ben Donaldson has worn the Waratahs’ No.10 jersey for the past two months and was the last man to wear the jumper for the Wallabies, but the Randwick playmaker could be the latest international squeezed out of their Super Rugby franchise.
Much like Nic White and his decision to leave the Brumbies, for weeks – months even – the Waratahs have been grappling with what to do with Donaldson. It could lead to Donaldson joining the Force, with Simon Cron interested in swooping on the playmaker, particularly if James O’Connor has priced himself out of a return.
One of the issues revolves around Rugby Australia’s decision to indicate they will offer Donaldson a top up.
To be eligible for a RA top up, the starting point the Waratahs must stump up for Donaldson is $220,000.
It means for the Waratahs to keep Donaldson, his signature won’t come cheap.
Ben Donaldson of the Waratahs reacts at full time during the round 11 Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, on May 06, 2023, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
With three other playmakers at the franchise, including Tane Edmed, Will Harrison and Junior Wallabies star Jack Bowen, the Waratahs can’t afford to stretch their belt much tighter, particularly if they don’t value Donaldson as high as RA.
It will likely lead to either Donaldson or Harrison departing, with a recruitment meeting set for next week.
But with Harrison – who is no certainty of making a successful comeback after another devastating knee-injury earlier this year – significantly cheaper because of his horrible run of misfortune, it could see the Waratahs back their injured young gun to come good. Harrison’s adeptness at fly-half and fullback is also a factor.
Will Harrison’s injury plagued two years have made it harder for the Waratahs to determine his future. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Donaldson’s form hasn’t helped his case of the Waratahs coming to the party early.
While Donaldson delivered his best performance of the season against the Rebels last weekend, he struggled during the opening two months of the competition where he started at fullback before being shifted to fly-half.
Nor was he alone on that front, but off-contact and wearing the crucial No.10 jersey, Donaldson shouldered a lot of the blame for the Waratahs’ slow start to the season.
Despite his form struggles, Donaldson was included in Eddie Jones’ Wallabies April training camp. His selection came after Jones had namedropped the two-Test Wallaby several times before the season started.
And with Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley unavailable because of their club commitments in Japan, it allowed Jones to name Donaldson as one of two playmakers in the squad along with the rising Carter Gordon.
Jones has been coy since the training squad, transitioning from the Wallabies’ chief marketing figure to coach as the Test season nears.
Ben Donaldson (C) made his debut for the Wallabies during their narrow loss to Italy on November 12, 2022 at the Artemio-Franchi stadium in Florence. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)
How he views Donaldson since watching him in close quarters at Sanctuary Cove is not known, but the man on everyone’s lips coming out of the camp was Gordon.
Jones was in the stands along with the majority of the Wallabies’ coaching team last Saturday, as Donaldson helped the Waratahs punish an ill-disciplined and inaccurate Rebels side that early on was humming with Gordon calling the shots.
After an understated match, Donaldson put the cherry on top of an encouraging performance by slicing through to ensure the Waratahs left Allianz Stadium with a bonus-point.
Donaldson said it felt “bloody good” to show what he could do and help the Waratahs to three wins on-the-trot.
It led to Coleman reminding observers that his developing playmaker was the “forgotten man” in the No.10 discussion.
“Everything you read at the moment has been Carter Gordon and obviously his battle with Noah was a lot in the media, Ben’s just trying to find his form and he’s starting to do that,” Coleman said.
“I’m happy for him because he’s a good kid and teammate. He’s a really popular member of the team so when he’s copping shit in the media you feel for him.
“Everyone’s just happy he’s delivering at the moment. He had a great day. He kicked really well, his goal-kicking was impeccable, he tackled bravely. He’s getting better every week – like the whole team.”
The Force on Wednesday confirmed they had re-signed injured playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa on a new two-year deal along with Bayley Kuenzle and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.
The 21-year-old is considered one of the best young playmakers in the country, with Tim Horan last year backing the former Australian Schoolboy to make his Wallabies debut sooner rather than later.
But his devastating ACL injury has slowed his progress, with Pasitoa missing the entire Super Rugby campaign.
Pasitoa led the Australian Schoolboys to a historic win over New Zealand Schools in 2019. A year later, the schoolboy prodigy found himself in Dan McKellar’s Brumbies outfit.
He joined the Force in 2022.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.