Wallabies World Cup bolter Donaldson vows to silence doubters
By Tom Decent
Deep down, two-Test Wallaby Ben Donaldson is aware that many Australian rugby fans believe he should not have been picked ahead of Quade Cooper in Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad.
In a squad as prestigious as the Wallabies, there is always bound to be robust debate among supporters.
However, the young playmaker has vowed not to let the outside noise affect him as he looks to “drive this team forward” with another inexperienced five-eighth in Carter Gordon.
Donaldson and Gordon are the only two specialist No.10s heading to France for Australia and they have only six Tests experience between them.
Gordon replaced Cooper, an 80-Test veteran, in Australia’s starting XV for two Tests against New Zealand, but the latter still came off the bench in both fixtures.
Four days after Australia’s narrow 23-20 loss to the All Blacks, Jones had decided that Cooper wasn’t in the country’s top 33 players.
There is no denying Donaldson has a bright future, but having not played a Test since November against Wales, he now finds himself in a slightly awkward predicament as debate rages about whether Cooper was hard done by.
Ben Donaldson in Wallabies camp in Darwin. Credit: Getty
“It’s always in the back of your mind,” Donaldson said. “I try not to read too much on social media. You can get caught up in that pretty easily. Someone like Quade, with his calibre, he’s been there and done that. He’s been great for myself and Carter over the past six weeks. We’ve taken a lot from him.”
Donaldson was asked if he’d heard from Cooper since Thursday’s World Cup squad announcement.
“Nah, I haven’t actually,” Donaldson said. “He sent a message into our players group chat to say congrats to all the boys, but nothing individually so far.”
After a slow start in Super Rugby for the Waratahs, Donaldson told this masthead in April he was a little surprised to be named in a Wallabies squad for a training camp in April.
Having been involved with the national squad throughout the year, Donaldson said this time felt a little different, although the nerves were still there.
“In that first squad, I hadn’t really played to the potential I wanted to,” he said. “I knew I had more in me. Then it’s a bit different. You make these squads and I feel like I’ve been training really well even though I haven’t played yet.
“There’s still that uncertainty coming into a new squad and a World Cup. I’m extremely grateful and stoked to be picked and a part of it now.
“I got a call on Wednesday arvo from Webby [Chris Webb], our [Wallabies] manager, letting me know that I made the squad. It was awesome to hear. A lot of nerves knowing that a phone call was coming. I was over the moon to be able to represent our country at a World Cup. Very excited for the next couple of months.
“I called my dad first. He was stoked and over the moon. It was a surreal moment letting your family know you’re going to a World Cup.”
If Gordon or Donaldson are injured or concussed in France, that will spell trouble for the Wallabies.
Jones is banking on the fearlessness of youth.
Quade Cooper has missed selection in the Wallabies’ World Cup squad. Credit: Getty
“I’ll be working with Carter and the coaches to really put our best foot forward and drive the team around,” Donaldson said. “We’re both young, but we’re both very confident in that position and we feel that we can do a good job.
“If we worry too much about the outside noise, all that stuff is going to creep in.
“Obviously there were a few surprises [in the squad]. You can’t hide that. It’s a reasonably young squad.
“We’re just extremely ambitious. We believe we can win the World Cup. No matter who is in the squad, we know we’re here to do one job.
“Eddie is a very smart coach. He’s done a lot around the world in different teams and he knows what he’s doing. He’s got a plan and the boys back him and each other.”
Watch all the action from Rugby World Cup 2023 on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport. Every match ad-free, live and on demand in 4K UHD from September 9.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.