Western Force flyhalf Ben Donaldson is eager to take on his old side Waratahs as they battle to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Force leapt off the bottom of the ladder with a thumping 48-10 win over the Fijian Drua in Perth.
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Donaldson contributed nearly half the points to put them firmly in contention for finals, sitting two points behind the eighth-place Drua.
It was one of the Wallabies' best performances for his new side and a timely reminder to new coach Joe Schmidt, who made the trip west for the clash.
“I pride myself on being that triple threat of running, passing and kicking,” Donaldson said to reporters.
“I play my best footy when I’m running and challenging the line.
“I was pretty happy with my game on the weekend. I had a fair few carries, mixed the game up quite well, but I like carrying, trying to get through the line and create some opportunity for the boys.”
Donaldson and the Force finish their season with three straight Australian derbies against three potential Wallabies contenders (Tane Edmed, Tom Lynagh and Noah Lolesio).
"There’s a lot of competition (for the ten jersey). Probably in previous years, there hasn’t been that much, but now there’s a lot of guys who are in a similar age bracket coming through playing some awesome rugby, which is really great to see for Australia as a whole,” he said.
“It does drive you a bit more, because you’ve got that competition there and everyone’s playing really well this year.
“I’m just trying to focus on my game and how I can stay consistent.”
The Force need victory to keep in touch with the top eight whilst Donaldson's reunion against his old side Waratahs will come as the playmaker celebrates his 50th Super Rugby game.
HBF Park is where he made his debut start in Super Rugby in a 2021 defeat to the Force, with Donaldson hoping he can be on the right side of the result on Saturday.
“I know all those boys and the coaching staff and what they can produce,” he said.
“It’s exciting for me to come up against them but at the same time, I know what they’re capable of. We’re going to have to be on this weekend.
“I’ll focus on our game and what we can do but there might be a few calls or other things I can pick up on but our focus is on us.
“…Everyone says it, getting one Super Rugby game is a dream as a kid and now to get 50 is very special. My family are coming over for it as well which will be awesome. To play against the Waratahs who I’ve had the majority of my games with will be very special.”
