Waratahs playmaker Ben Donaldson admits he was convinced he hadn’t done enough to make the cut in Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies squad for a camp later this month.
That was until a quick swipe of Instagram on Sunday afternoon – just like last year – delivered Donaldson some decent news as the NSW No.10 vowed to improve and move on from an unfortunate blunder in the dying moments of the Waratahs’ narrow 40-36 loss to the Brumbies.
Donaldson and Melbourne Rebels youngster Carter Gordon were the only two five-eighths named in Jones’ 33-man Wallabies squad that will gather for a three-day camp on the Gold Coast beginning on April 17.
Overseas-based players Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley were also named but won’t be in Queensland. They will dial in via Zoom for meetings and planning sessions.
Jones explained on Sunday that he liked what he saw from Donaldson against Italy and Wales on the Wallabies spring tour late last year.
Donaldson, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Tuesday with a pub feed in the company of teammates, had prepared himself for the worst after a middling Super Rugby season to date.
Ben Donaldson kicks long against the Brumbies. Credit:Getty
“To be honest, I thought the way I’ve been playing this year, I probably wasn’t expecting to make it,” Donaldson told the Herald. “I knew the squad was coming out. I didn’t get too caught up in it or anything. I haven’t really been playing the way I want to this year, neither has our team, so I wasn’t really expecting anything.
“To see my name there, I was over the moon. Whenever you get named in a Wallabies squad, it’s a big achievement. Now it’s about continuing to work hard and work on my game and show the coaches what I’m capable of.
“They give you a call if you didn’t make it and tell you why. If you did make it, it just pops up on Insta.”
During his first press conference as Wallabies coach in January, Jones name-dropped Donaldson and has done so on a number of other occasions.
Eddie Jones at Rugby Australia headquarters. Credit:Cole Bennetts
Both hail from the Randwick club where Jones cut his teeth as a player and coach.
“I haven’t been playing the way I want to be but whenever the national coach is name-dropping you, it’s always a confidence booster,” Donaldson said. “My focus at the moment has just been the Tahs.”
One thing about Donaldson is that he doesn’t shirk responsibility. On debut against Italy last year, Donaldson missed a conversion after full-time that would have handed the Wallabies a memorable win. An hour later, after being consoled by teammates, Donaldson greeted the Herald outside the change-rooms in Florence for an interview.
Others wouldn’t do the same.
On Saturday, Donaldson kicked out on the full in the dying moments against the Brumbies.
It was a costly error from within the Waratahs’ half as Brumbies winger Corey Toole ran past Donaldson moments later to score the match-winning try.
“The plan was to kick it long down field and back our defence … and finish off the game,” Donaldson said. “Unfortunately, my ball drop was a bit off and it came off a bit wrong on my foot. It went out by a metre. It is very annoying to look back at.
“It hurts but that comes down to me and my kick execution. I take responsibility for that and I’ve got to work harder on that skill and make sure next time it doesn’t happen again.
“Everyone’s going to make mistakes. It’s how you respond and learn from it so you don’t make them again.
“We were so close. We probably did everything in our power to win that game. The vibe was pretty dull after the game. There is positivity around the group though.”
Jones called Donaldson on Monday to congratulate him and offer some guidance on what he needs to improve on. After close to three months of planning, Jones will finally get his hands on potential Wallabies prospects.
Anxious players have no idea what to expect.
“There’s been a lot said about Eddie coming in and there are a bit of nerves,” Donaldson said. “We know we have the first shot and it’s up to us to stay there.
“You don’t just want to be in the squad, you want to be playing.”
