As Darren Coleman declared the No.10 jersey wide open for 2024, the Waratahs coach defended their playing roster strategy after the incumbent Wallabies playmaker was squeezed out of the franchise.
Donaldson, 24, was one of the World Cup bolters in 2023 as Eddie Jones selected the Western Force-bound as one of two playmakers in the Wallabies’ squad.
His selection came despite the developing playmaker ultimately leaving the Waratahs after not justifying the price tag others were prepared to offer following an indifferent season.
Indeed, in the absence of fellow playmakers Tane Edmed and Will Harrison, the Waratahs struggled for consistency with Donaldson driving the team around the park.
The local playmaker rarely probed the line, was wobbly from the boot and struggled defensively.
It left many scratching their head as to why Jones had selected Donaldson alongside Test rookie Carter Gordon in the squad.
“That he comes from Randwick, mate,” Jones, a former player at the famous Sydney club, said sarcastically following the Wallabies’ first-up World Cup win over Georgia where Donaldson scored 25 points at fullback.
“He’s got a head start. I’m trying to pick other Randwick players but I can’t find them at the moment.”
Asked what he saw that the Waratahs didn’t, or weren’t able to get out of him, Jones, as he from the moment he was announced as Wallabies coach, talked up Donaldson’s ability.
“I’m not sure what the Waratahs didn’t see in him. That’s their business, not mine,” Jones said.
“I think he’s a really, really good rugby player.”
Wallabies incumbent fly-half Ben Donaldson will play for the Force in 2024 after being squeezed out of the Waratahs. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
In the end, Jones’ side failed to make the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time as injuries and inexperience came back to hurt the Wallabies.
Donaldson, who started the tournament well at fullback, struggled at fly-half after being shifted to the No.10 jersey following Gordon’s own form issues.
His struggles once again left many long-time observers asking where Donaldson’s best position was?
That now, however, isn’t a problem for Coleman despite the coach admitting they wanted to keep the local product.
“It’s important for people to know we made Ben an offer. We never forced Ben out,” Coleman told The Roar.
“As you said, we’ve got three decent options there. We’ve got a developing Jack Bowen; Tane, who at the peak of his powers, proved he could do; and Will Harrison, and if you look back to when he was fit was showing signs of being a high-level 10.
“We just couldn’t meet the financial restraints of keeping Ben based on what he had done at the Wallabies. He was a really positive guy in our team.”
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman ahead of their Super Rugby quarter-final against the Blues at Eden Park, on June 09, 2023, in Auckland. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Edmed, who featured prominently for Australia A in 2022 after a breakout season, is the favourite to wear the No.10 jersey next season but is bound to come under pressure from the emerging Jack Bowen, whose combination with halfback Teddy Wilson is one to watch.
“Who is going to take that 10 jersey is a really interesting battle,” Coleman said.
“Jack’s the up-and-comer, Tane’s shown he can do it and, although Will’s given up a bit of distance because of his rehab, his determination is second to none, so if can find the form of ’20 and ’21 it’s a really even battle.”
Max Jorgensen is making strong progress after breaking his leg during Wallabies training at Stade Roger Baudras on August 31, 2023 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Max Jorgensen, who broke his leg ahead of the Wallabies’ final Pool C World Cup fixture against Portugal in training, is making strong progress and shapes as a round-one starter.
“He’s going good,” Coleman said.
“He’s out of the boot, walking, limp-free. As of today, he’s had a seamless rehab. He’s in every morning working hard on it.
“At some stage, we’ve got to give him a bit of a break to mentally freshen up because he’s gone from being a school leaver to a Waratah to injured to rehab to straight into the Wallabies and rehab again.
“I’m really conscious that we get him to round one not only fit physically, but he’s healthy and mentally fresh and sharp because he’s had a long consistent period without a break. But he’ll be better for the experience. It’s all on track for him to be ready for round one.”
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
All true CS, however, it was on his terms. Many times didn’t let the ball wide and blew chances. Fix that and he’s back in the Wallabies.
Leachy
Roar Rookie
French rugby didn't improve Richie Arnold game. He was horrendous in gold.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
I would assume that the teams are still expected to ID and develop the players coming through their systems, that they then make an offer to the players under their salary cap however when the player signs their employer is RA, not a specific team. This would mean that the teams still have the overall roster and selection to themselves. RA would only really get involved when Melbourne said - Hey we have this really good young 9 in our system but no space in our roster for another 9 does anyone want this lad on their books? Or if it was obvious that the best two hookers in the country were on the same side and stopping each other getting game time, even 2 of the best 3, in that position RA might say to the side, hey you're holding back the development of player A and Player B which one do you want most because we're going to offer the other one a spot in a different side. At the end of the day the Players still have to be able to make the final decision on where they play, RA can't force them to play for a team they don't want to be in. Of course that could still be manipulated, but your comment is exactly why the Reds and Brumbies are correct to sign nothing with RA until there is a sufficient level of detail around how Centralisation will work.
Cec
Roar Rookie
I have a hypothetical example to centralisation. Let’s say RA does eventually run all of SRAU and the powerbrokers are from NSW and in particular Shore Regional and Randwick backgrounds. Does that mean guys like Dono get pushed up to start ahead of others just because? Wouldn’t that be like playing at the Tahs but now those NSW players have other SRAU team spots available where “NSW favourites” can be placed ahead of non-Randwick/Shore/NSW GPS players? All clubs and franchises should write in an opt out before handing the keys in or agreeing to any form of alignment. NSW admin have some form in creating distrust over the years. Centralising or alignment sounds like the tonic in principal but just who controls the decision making on who goes where, who plays ahead of others and at what level of salary is contentious.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
I completely agree, not just Pasitoa. Burey, Stewart and Kuenzle are all better 10 options than Donaldson IMO. I don't think he makes the Force bench except through injury.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Donaldson is not even a sure starter at the Force. Pasitoa may have some say in who’s their 10 for SRP24
Rugby Geek
Roar Rookie
Love DC’s awareness about young Jorgo! This builds a strong relationships between players, team and club. Classic DC, pity Not-so-steady Eddie didn’t do this. RG is officially starting to think of better times for the TAHS!
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
I don't know about that, OSR. Donaldson has been in poor form for well over 12 months, with Eddie Jones the only person in the rugby world (it seems) to think otherwise. That didn't end well. More importantly, the next Aussie coach could be McKellar, Larkham, or even Coleman. McKellar and Larkham are both more familiar with (and rate) Lolesio, and Coleman is the coach who let Donaldson go. If it's another coach entirely, then it's likely to be an overseas based coach, likely with no allegiances, and the first thing THAT coach should be doing once appointed is calling Dave Rennie for a full 'lay of the land'. Rennie is actually familiar with the players over a reasonable time frame, and he was building something. The next few phone calls should be to the Super coaches to actually start collaborating. Anyway, point is, Donaldson is likely to have a few other 10s starting in front of him.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Illustrates Jones's arrogance. He knew the Waratahs didn't have faith in Donaldson at 10, knew they'd rated other 10s over him, knew that they had seen him train and play over several seasons so they had MUCH more knowledge of him, but thought that he knew better than the Waratahs coaching staff. That's just Eddie Jones to a tee. It's like he failed to consult or collaborate with any of the Super teams along the way, just backed himself and his own judgement in a complete vacuum.
Wolla Wotsa
Roar Rookie
Wizz kid Jorgenson who has done it all in a Wallaby jersey at such a young age will be pushed hard by the Sydney media and NSWRA to become the Wallaby 15. :rugby: The new Wallaby coach will be Darren Coleman. Michael Cheika was Waratah and Wallaby coach at the same time, so it can be done :laughing: :laughing:
ScottD
Roar Guru
Mate, you need to stop doing those drugs. They are clouding your perception
ScottD
Roar Guru
Possibly true but at his best he is better than a depth player. His issue has been consistency. We will see in 2024 I guess. At least it will be interesting.
ScottD
Roar Guru
And we are training the house down .....
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Just looked back over the Wallaby and Waratah squads for 2020 and if there is one person to blame it likely was Penney. I will be interesting to see how he goes with the Crusaders.
cs
Roar Guru
Kicks, but not nearly as much a White or even McDermott (but then again,they were also programmed to a game plan, of sorts, for you know who). Jake is a more dangerous running 9 then both, has a good pass, is a dogged tackler and, best of all, has terrific presence of mind. Just think of how many intercepts he got last season -- more often than not when we were otherwise shot to blazes. His downside is poor discipline, probably why he was cut from higher duties.
cs
Roar Guru
Hope Coach Coleman has more than one game plan.
cs
Roar Guru
Agree with much of that Mug. Re Hunt, I used to watch agog to see him tackled as hard as hell by any number of the opposition. Always got straight up, maybe brushed a little dirt off, and just lined up for more. 'Couldn't kill him with a strong axe', as the Moose used to say back in the day.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Because Edmed wasn’t off contract for a start…
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Jake either is playing to Coleman’s plan or overplays his hand. Too many wrong options for mine although he is definitely talented.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
None of the above, but an inventive response. I will wait and see how things play out in the super rugby season. Half of all of these players won't be getting a lot of game time, and probably none of them can be confident of being in the first Wallaby squad, let alone having a claim on the ten jumper.