WESTERN Force playmaker Ben Donaldson has shrugged off the confusion around his HIA as the focus turns to stopping Highlanders powerhouse Timoci Tavatavanawai.
Donaldson played a masterful role in the Force’s maiden win of the season against Moana Pasifika, narrowly missing out on full MVP votes for the round.
It came despite the vice-captain not running out with the side in bizarre scenes, forced to undergo a concussion test after his mouthguard went off during the warm-up.
“Yeah, most games I keep my mouthguard in my sock until right at the end and I just put it in for those hits just to get used to wearing it before the game and went to put the jersey on and the doc came in with the other doc who was there and they said it was pinging and I had to go to a HIA,” he said to reporters.
“It was a pretty frantic ten or so minutes, but I think our doc handled it really well. The process ran smoothly.”
The Force are midway through their extended New Zealand trip, settling in Dunedin ahead of Saturday’s match.
The planning has revolved around how to stop the inspirational co-captain Tavatavanawai, currently leading the competition for tackle busts (15) and offloads (seven).
“He’s a big, physical ball carrier and his breakdown threat is incredible. He gets more turnovers than anyone in the comp and showed he’s got a good kicking game these days as well so there is a lot of things you’ve got to be looking out for,” Donaldson added.
“He’s probably the biggest threat in attack and defence, so there’s no denying that and for me, I’m probably going to be tackling him more often than not, so I’ve just got to try and cut his space and time down, get off the line, and throw my body around.
“You’re not going to probably make every tackle, but if you show intent and you throw your body around, you’re going to be in a good position.”
Coach Simon Cron has bulked his midfield up, shifting Divad Palu to the centres, while welcoming back Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Nick Champion de Crespigny in the pack.
