Wallabies assistant coach Tom Donnelly is ready to join a growing group of Kiwis tasked with stopping the All Blacks’ 23-year stranglehold over the Bledisloe Cup.
Donnelly joined the coaching staff at the start of the Rugby Championship after Geoff Parling’s exit to Leicester, having turned the Western Force’s set-piece into a weapon.
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The Otago lock made his debut for the All Blacks against the Wallabies in 2009, going on to win 14 of his 15 Tests he played in.
Now, the 43-year-old has made home in the Australian camp alongside fellow New Zealanders Joe Schmidt and Mike Cron.
“I suppose when you're in professional sports, whatever team you're involved with, you get emotionally invested in it pretty quickly. I'm just trying to do a really good job here with the Wallabies and really enjoying it,” Donnelly said to reporters.
“Preparing to beat an opposition is nothing changed, just go about my work and make sure that we prepare these boys as best we can so we turn up on Saturday and give a performance that we're really proud of.
“To be able to coach international footy is a dream or a goal when you first start out coaching, so it's awesome to be here now.”
Kiwi-born coaches in the Wallaby system are nothing new, with Robbie Deans and Dave Rennie previously unsuccessful in ending the ongoing Eden Park hoodoo.
However, the current group's previous history provides the Wallabies with a unique insight into how to win at Eden Park, with the trio having tasted success throughout the current 52-game unbeaten streak.
Donnelly played in a 32-12 win over South Africa in 2010, while Schmidt and Cron have been involved in several victories as part of the coaching staff.
“Possibly, there's certain areas that we can give advice on or encourage, but ultimately Eden Park's a field with four lines and a couple of goalposts,” he said on whether this experience helps them.
“…It's a long time since I was involved with the All Blacks, so my memory's not that great, but I can certainly add my little bit of two cents here and there where I see fit.”
Donnelly has been loving life in Wallaby camp as the team enjoy top spot of the Rugby Championship with two rounds to go.
“The environment's outstanding. The people that are involved make you feel unbelievably welcome,” he added.
“It's a hard-working environment. Everyone's there for a reason, to do really well in the Wallaby gold. It's been really, really enjoyable so far.”
