Stephen Donald at Bath

[psychic duck]

I've heard from numerous reports that former All Black fly half Stephen Donald has been playing very poorly for Bath in the Premiership this year, and been a terribly disappointing recruit for them and a waste of money.

There are quotes from the Bath chief exec Nick Blofeld, that he says he had "a frank conversation with him after some poor performances". And on the Bath section of the Rugby Network the Bath fans call him a panic buy.

He's spent some time injured recently and since I've heard hasn't been able to get back in the team ahead of Tom Heathcote.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rGaPu-9qcpg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
[HR][/HR]Tell me what do you think?

Has Stephen Donald been the biggest waste of money in the Premiership this season?

 

[Sam Owen]

So hes not doing too great. Give him some time

 

[InsaneAsylum]

+1 for epic lolz video

 

[Teh Mite]

So hes not doing too great. Give him some time[/QUOTE

Understatement of the year... He's utterly shite.

 

[welshglory]

Another player who lives off his Allblack caps...

 

[ZeFrenchy]

 

[racingmetrofan]

I imagine any fly half would struggle to play well with Banahan at 12.

 

[Feicarsinn]

So hes not doing too great. Give him some time

He's had a season and considering the money he's on he's been muck. I've seen him live a few times this year and once again been thoroughly unimpressed (most notably during the spanking we gave them earlier in the year.) He's been terrible.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

The best rugby memes I've seen involve him, so I'm quite fond of the guy. I've no idea about how he's playing though.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I imagine he cost a fair amount, so probably is the biggest waste of the season.
He's had about 20minutes of good rugby (I believe it was his debute, he set up or scored a couple of tries, can't remember really) but has been dire ever since.
Injuries haven't helped, but Heathcote, an u20 international, has well and truely overtaken Donald.

I imagine any fly half would struggle to play well with Banahan at 12.

He hasn't, though. He's had Barkley there who, though off form, is a fairly creative 12 which should help Donald if anything.

 

[LittleGuy]

Planet Rugby is reporting that Donald will be kept on for next season by Bath. I agree with some of the earlier assesments, it seems as though he's gotten even worse for Bath as the season has continued. I wonder where his career will go if he dosen't succeed next year.

 

[nickdnz]

He has been injured and been on again, off again. Sure he'll come right. He's never been my favourite player, but no doubt he's up to that level when fit. I think he just needs to get some more game time consistantly, which he's lacked.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

If he doesn't continue to play at Bath I'm more than happy to see him return to the Chiefs. SBW will be gone soon, and Donald will make a great 12 for us...

 

[admartian]

Meh. As bad as he's played for the ABs - and I was never a big fan of his (in fact, probably one of his detractors), and as bad as he probably is playing now; I couldn't care less (note the 'nt' in the end instead of 'could'? ) if he's playing terribly.

He won a nation a cup and can play as poorly as he wants.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Dunno why people say 'I could care less'. Most of the time when they do it they actually mean they couldn't anyway...

 

[Teh Mite]

He has been injured and been on again, off again. Sure he'll come right. He's never been my favourite player, but no doubt he's up to that level when fit. I think he just needs to get some more game time consistantly, which he's lacked.

He nay have done okay in the super-duper touch-rugby league, but in a competioion where coaches value defence and encourage their players to make tackles he finds the going, shall we say "a little rough for his liking".



Interesting to note Kyle Eastmond is all but forgotten for the sane reasons.

 

[nickdnz]

He nay have done okay in the super-duper touch-rugby league, but in a competioion where coaches value defence and encourage their players to make tackles he finds the going, shall we say "a little rough for his liking".

Interesting to note Kyle Eastmond is all but forgotten for the sane reasons.

Weird. Jimmy Gopperth and Nick Evans are finding it **** easy there, so did Glen Jackson, so I'd have thought all our has been's would be tearing it up in a competition with as little skill and creativity as the Aviva Premiership, a competition that can't get a spot in a HCup SF, but a Scottish team can.

Let's not fish.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Interesting to note Kyle Eastmond is all but forgotten for the sane reasons.

Eastmond had a serious groin (I think) injury way back when, and hasn't gotten over it yet - every time he takes to the pitch he needs more rehab afterwards.
Presumably he'll get more of a go after time off/pre-season.

Weird. Jimmy Gopperth and Nick Evans are finding it **** easy there, so did Glen Jackson, so I'd have thought all our has been's would be tearing it up in a competition with as little skill and creativity as the Aviva Premiership, a competition that can't get a spot in a HCup SF, but a Scottish team can.

Let's not fish.

Gopperth and Evans get stuck in quite a lot though. It's Donald specifically whose defence doesn't look up to it (possibly because of an injury he's carrying?) rather than all NZ flyhalves, say.

 

[nickdnz]

Gopperth and Evans get stuck in quite a lot though. It's Donald specifically whose defence doesn't look up to it (possibly because of an injury he's carrying?) rather than all NZ flyhalves, say.

Sure, I think Donald does have some problems. He came in to the clubs with a poor/non existant preseason and he's struggling. Never rated his defense THAT highly back here, but he's usually fairly reliable. He has had some injuries, and the article that was quoted in the top of this thread are misleading quotes. The article was about Bath denying rumors that he was looking to get out of the club. I think he just needs to get some form and regular game time.

Also not sure the club is the right fit for him. It seems to be a bit of a deathbed for 1st 5/8ths.

 

[welshglory]

Butch James seemed to do fairly well at Bath...