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Rugby Union
Premiership Rugby / Premiership Cup
Bath face prolonged wait for Donald
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<blockquote data-quote="ranger" data-source="post: 465060" data-attributes="member: 40555"><p>Nah i wouldn't say that.. His goal kicking is great, and his tactical kicking is pretty damn good, its just a bit slow from hand to foot. He struggles in the all blacks environment with decision making as i will go over in a second, but his actual kicking game (as in the ability to execute the right option if he chooses it) is more than adequate for the top echelons of Super 14 or the premiership. </p><p></p><p>As far as raw skills and athleticism go he is one of the finest specimens in world rugby. His real problem is that he doesn't think fast enough and doesn't act fast enough. The All Blacks are all about spotting a hint of an opportunity and then everyone free-styling it and reading each other in an instant to capitalise, Donald just simply cant read and make plays at the capacity needed to play 10 for the All Blacks. You can see him realising and trying to keep up with the tempo set by instinctive players like Jane, Dagg, Weepu etc, but he tends to just panic when thinking and acting at that pace and that leads to the aimless kicks, poor pass timing and lost opportunities we see him make. </p><p></p><p>When he is able to set his own tempo, to control the game himself and execute a pre-decided game plan, he is very good. In the premiership, the style of play will be catered more towards his slower, more tactical style. He will also be able to bosh his way through the defensive line if he runs out of options like he does in provincial/club rugby, but cant at internationals. The presence of that bail out option that guarantees he passes the advantage line seems to calm him down and allow him to play with more confidence.</p><p></p><p>Just to clarify, its not a case of the premiership being a lower quality competition, its just that it suits Donald more. Its the same as how Cipriani was a better fit in Super rugby than up there.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ranger, post: 465060, member: 40555"] Nah i wouldn't say that.. His goal kicking is great, and his tactical kicking is pretty damn good, its just a bit slow from hand to foot. He struggles in the all blacks environment with decision making as i will go over in a second, but his actual kicking game (as in the ability to execute the right option if he chooses it) is more than adequate for the top echelons of Super 14 or the premiership. As far as raw skills and athleticism go he is one of the finest specimens in world rugby. His real problem is that he doesn't think fast enough and doesn't act fast enough. The All Blacks are all about spotting a hint of an opportunity and then everyone free-styling it and reading each other in an instant to capitalise, Donald just simply cant read and make plays at the capacity needed to play 10 for the All Blacks. You can see him realising and trying to keep up with the tempo set by instinctive players like Jane, Dagg, Weepu etc, but he tends to just panic when thinking and acting at that pace and that leads to the aimless kicks, poor pass timing and lost opportunities we see him make. When he is able to set his own tempo, to control the game himself and execute a pre-decided game plan, he is very good. In the premiership, the style of play will be catered more towards his slower, more tactical style. He will also be able to bosh his way through the defensive line if he runs out of options like he does in provincial/club rugby, but cant at internationals. The presence of that bail out option that guarantees he passes the advantage line seems to calm him down and allow him to play with more confidence. Just to clarify, its not a case of the premiership being a lower quality competition, its just that it suits Donald more. Its the same as how Cipriani was a better fit in Super rugby than up there. [/QUOTE]
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Bath face prolonged wait for Donald
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