Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has backed ‘forgotten man’ Ben Donaldson as he led the NSW side to victory over the Melbourne Rebels.
The 24-year-old played his best game of the season as he powered the Waratahs to a bonus-point 34-14 victory at Allianz Stadium
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Donaldson set the tempo early with his kicking game, getting the Waratahs out of trouble as they defended their line early.
The Wallaby took the ball to the line with renewed vigour and was eventually rewarded when he burst through some soft defence in the final five minutes, throwing the flick pass to Izaia Perese for the bonus-point victory.
“It’s a bloody awesome feeling,” Donaldson said on the post-match coverage.
“14 points down, we knew if we dug in and exited well, we knew we’d come out on top and that’s what we did in the second half and applied the pressure
“It’s really pleasing we dealt with their pressure as the game went on and we were able to get some points there.
“I tried to kick well to start the game and feed the boys outside, that (line break) was on Jed, he gave me a nice option and the space just opened up.”
It’s the second week in a row that a Wallaby hopeful has risen to the challenge of taking on Gordon and the Rebels, arguably the form playmaker of the competition.
Donaldson has become a lightning rod for criticism of sorts after the Waratahs’ slow start, with Coleman calling him ‘the forgotten man' on the broadcast
When asked to elaborate, the Waratahs coach expressed his pride in the young playmaker, believing he is getting back to the type of form that earned him a Wallabies debut.
“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,” he told reporters.
“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 s*** 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."
Gordon matched Donaldson through the contest, setting the tempo with an electric first quarter.
He put Reece Hodge over for the opening try of the game before darting and stepping through the Waratahs' defence, with Monty Ioane crossing a phase later.
However, it will be his final minutes that concern Rebels and Wallabies fans alike.
Gordon, who was relentless in defence with some hits defying the number on his back, fell awkwardly in a tackle as time expired.
He proceeded to limp off the field and seemed troubled by it in the post-match.
Kevin Foote looked to alleviate fears after the match, confident he will be fit for next week’s must-win match with the Highlanders.
“He’s got bruising behind the knee which he had at the beginning of the year but (the medical team) don’t see any knee damage there," he said.
“We can turn him around.”
