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Ben Donaldson felt the squeeze at the NSW Waratahs.
Now, the two-Test Wallaby is heading west to continue his career where he’ll face another three-way battle to wear the No.10 jersey.
Despite featuring for the Wallabies twice on last year’s Spring Tour under Dave Rennie, Donaldson wasn’t offered a high enough contract by the Waratahs that would make him eligible for a national top-up.
It left the Waratahs and Rugby Australia at odds over Donaldson’s value, particularly as the 24-year-old struggled to get going this season.
Making the strange scenario all the more bizarre, Donaldson played every match for the Waratahs in 2023, including their quarter-final loss to the Blues where the utility back was one of the side’s stronger performers after shifting to fullback to accommodate the fit-again Tane Edmed.
Yet, with Edmed and Junior Wallabies playmaker Jack Bowen already on the books for 2024, the Waratahs decided not to break the bank on keeping a player they weren’t sure whether he’d made the leap from a talented playmaker to world-class leader, who could fulfill their top four ambitions.
The extra money also allowed them to keep the injury-prone, though hard-working and talented, Will Harrison on their books.
Ben Donaldson has joined the Western Force. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Needing a new home, the Western Force have pounced on the Wallaby.
It’s left Eddie Jones happy, with the new Wallabies coach including Donaldson in his training squad earlier in the year. Whether he makes the cut for The Rugby Championship remains to be seen, but his versatility is something that could prove helpful in a World Cup campaign where there’s only 33 spots available.
“Ben is a young player with plenty of potential and his re-signing is positive for Australian rugby,” Jones said.
One person who does think Donaldson can turn potential into world-class performances is Simon Cron, with the second-year coach adding some more depth to his side.
But it’s no guarantee that Donaldson will wear the No.10 jersey, with Max Burey one of Cron’s stronger performers after making his debut for the Force in May. Former Australian Schoolboys star Reesjan Pasitoa, who missed the entire 2023 season after an ACL injury, will also compete for the position.
As a team we need to grow our positional competition. It’s critical that we have competition in each position so when we train the intensity and accuracy tests our execution. Ultimately practice execution becomes game reality.”
“’Dono’ is a world-class player and a great human who will add to our squad,” Cron said.
“In talking with the other 10s, they are excited to have him on-board because it will only make everyone push to be their best.
“He is a triple threat in attack with a running game and kick and pass skill-sets, which means the defence must think. Combine this with his drive to learn and the desire to be his best, we are excited to get him over here.
“We look forward to putting him in different situations and scenarios that will help him develop as a player and give him the structures around him that he needs to be successful.”
Fly-half Ben Donaldson (C) made his debut for the Wallabies off the bench against Italy. (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)
Donaldson, too, said he was excited about the move.
“I’m really excited to continue my career in Perth,” he said.
“I’m really impressed by the program that Simon and the coaches are running, and also by the squad that’s developing at the Western Force.
“The team has plenty of talent, playing some unreal footy this season and I’m looking forward to earning the respect of the supporters and my teammates and getting an opportunity to contribute my skills and work ethic to the squad.
“It’s a really exciting time in Australian rugby at the moment and I’m looking forward to continuing to improve as a player and fight for opportunities for higher honours.”
The Force are set to further bolster their squad in the coming days, with former Junior Wallabies back-rower Will Harris set to be announced too.
Harris was a regular in the Waratahs in 2023, but with plenty of back-row talent in the squad failed to find his way into a spot for their final two matches of the year after Lachie Swinton’s return.
A player with strong work rate, Harris can cover blindside flanker and No.8.
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.