Former All Blacks star Stephen Donald is laying down a bold claim: a Grand Slam sweep for Scott Robertson's squad on their upcoming northern hemisphere tour. The action kicks off against Ireland in Chicago, followed by back-to-back weekend showdowns with Scotland, England, and Wales. Donald's confidence is sky-high, especially about the matches in Chicago and at Murrayfield.
Speaking on The Aftermatch with Kirst and Beav, Donald didn't mince words:
"We’re banking it."
His assurance extended to the Scotland game, coupled with a sly jab at the Scots who are buzzing with the belief they can topple the All Blacks for the first time. "I’m only nervous about some of the comments coming out of Scotland; are they trying to manifest a victory, saying they’re going to do it this time?" Donald quipped. He's familiar with the perennial optimism in Edinburgh, having experienced it firsthand on the field.
Despite his breezy demeanor, Donald emphasized that Robertson isn’t planning to ease up against the Scots by deploying a secondary squad. "I will say this, though, in the past it has been a game that our ‘B’ boys have been rolled out for, but it won’t be this time. That will be fully loaded," he affirmed. Recalling a close shave in 2022 when TJ Perenara had to rescue the team, Donald pondered whether the current team has improved since then.
Looking further into the tour, Donald circled the England clash at Twickenham as potentially the toughest hurdle. "We’re banking it but I’ve circled this one as the toughest. I think from what I saw with the Lions, whoever they put at 10 [will be great]," he noted, hinting at England's strategic choices in key positions and acknowledging the prowess of players like Marcus and the rising star Henry Pollock.
The tour finale against Wales could see some strategic rotation. "The Welsh game is potentially the game where some of the boys might get a run, your Ruben Loves etc," Donald said, suggesting that despite the potential for changes, Robertson’s approach would remain rigorous, preserving the squad’s core strength until the very end of the tour.
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Former All Blacks star Stephen Donald is laying down a bold claim: a Grand Slam sweep for Scott Robertson's squad on their upcoming northern hemisphere tour. The action kicks off against Ireland in Chicago, followed by back-to-back weekend showdowns with Scotland, England, and Wales. Donald's confidence is sky-high, especially about the matches in Chicago and at Murrayfield.
Speaking on The Aftermatch with Kirst and Beav, Donald didn't mince words:
"We’re banking it."
His assurance extended to the Scotland game, coupled with a sly jab at the Scots who are buzzing with the belief they can topple the All Blacks for the first time. "I’m only nervous about some of the comments coming out of Scotland; are they trying to manifest a victory, saying they’re going to do it this time?" Donald quipped. He's familiar with the perennial optimism in Edinburgh, having experienced it firsthand on the field.Despite his breezy demeanor, Donald emphasized that Robertson isn’t planning to ease up against the Scots by deploying a secondary squad. "I will say this, though, in the past it has been a game that our ‘B’ boys have been rolled out for, but it won’t be this time. That will be fully loaded," he affirmed. Recalling a close shave in 2022 when TJ Perenara had to rescue the team, Donald pondered whether the current team has improved since then.
Looking further into the tour, Donald circled the England clash at Twickenham as potentially the toughest hurdle. "We’re banking it but I’ve circled this one as the toughest. I think from what I saw with the Lions, whoever they put at 10 [will be great]," he noted, hinting at England's strategic choices in key positions and acknowledging the prowess of players like Marcus and the rising star Henry Pollock.
The tour finale against Wales could see some strategic rotation. "The Welsh game is potentially the game where some of the boys might get a run, your Ruben Loves etc," Donald said, suggesting that despite the potential for changes, Robertson’s approach would remain rigorous, preserving the squad’s core strength until the very end of the tour.