The Western Force are targeting Waratahs No.10 Ben Donaldson to move to Perth next season, where he could form an all-Wallabies halves pairing with Nic White.
Donaldson is the latest Wallaby in the sights of Force coach Simon Cron, who is aiming to take advantage of a surplus of five-eighths on the Waratahs books with a recruitment strike on his former club.
NSW currently have four quality No.10s in their top squad, in the shape of Donaldson, Tane Edmed, Will Harrison and Jack Bowen. Donaldson and Harrison both come off contract at the end of the season, and Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has previously admitted one or more of the quartet will likely have to move on for better balance.
The Force have been aggressive in the market under Cron, a former Waratahs assistant and Australian under-20s coach, and have signed White, former Wallabies No.8 Isi Naisarani and flanker Carlo Tizzano this season, along with several astute buys from the UK.
Donaldson has been targeted as a man to bolster the five-eighth stocks at the Force and the WA club has tabled a strong offer to the 24-year-old, according to sources familiar with the matter. Donaldson is waiting on the Waratahs’ response before making a call in the near-future, the sources said.
Donaldson won two caps for the Wallabies on the last year’s Spring Tour and despite a quiet start to the 2023 season, the Randwick playmaker was included in Eddie Jones’ first squad as one of two five-eighths along with Carter Gordon.
The Force are chasing Ben Donaldson.Credit: Getty
Donaldson turned in a timely demonstration of his talent in the Waratahs’ victory over the Rebels last weekend, starring in NSW’s 38-20 win and outpointing Gordon.
Coleman praised Donaldson post-game, labelling him “the forgotten man”.
“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,” Coleman said.
“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 shit 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.”
Donaldson, Harrison and Edmed have been competing for the Waratahs No.10 for several years, and Bowen was promoted up from the pathways system last year.
Edmed, who held the No.10 jersey for most of last season and at the start of this year, has been sidelined with a back injury since round three but is due to return via club rugby as early as this week.
Harrison was once seen as the best of the trio and wore the No.10 for most of 2020 and 2021. But a nasty knee injury suffered playing fullback last year ruined his season, and Harrison was recently ruled out for another season with a recurrence of the knee injury.
Tane Edmed has been sidelined with a back injury this year.Credit: Getty
Injury to one or more has largely helped Waratahs coaches avoid choosing between all three at once, and like Harrison, Donaldson has also played a lot of No.15.
Edmed was extended last year for two more seasons but after starting for the Wallabies at No.10, Donaldson would be looking to secure a future as a starting five-eighth; finally presenting a tough choice for the Waratahs.
The Force have Reesjan Pasitoa on their books, but he has been sidelined this season.
Discussing his future in April, Donaldson said he was looking at all options.
“It’s all still up in the air at the moment. A lot of people have said it would be a great time to stay in Australia with the British and Irish Lions tour coming up and then a home World Cup,” Donaldson said.
“Ideally, my first preference would be to stay put. I haven’t really had too many talks as of yet, my manager is doing the rounds at the moment, sussing out options. It’d be a great time to stay in Australia and hopefully we can figure something out soon.”
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