FORMER All Blacks fly half Stephen Donald has urged the next generation of Fijian rugby stars to use their voices, stay fit and master the basics if they want to succeed at the highest level.
Affectionately known as “Beaver”, visited the Fijian Drua Junior Development squad at the Drua headquarters yesterday, where he shared lessons from his decorated rugby career with the young players.
Donald, who played 24 Tests for the All Blacks and famously kicked the match-winning penalty in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, encouraged the aspiring players to become leaders on the field through communication.
“That’s your greatest gift,” Donald told the players.
“I got halfway to where I did because I had a mouth. I was told at a young age that you can be as shy as you want off the field, but once you’re on it, the other 14 players are looking at you.”
He stressed that players in the key decision-making positions of halfback, first five-eighth and fullback must be prepared to organise their teammates throughout the game.
“Most rugby players are doers. They just want to know where to run and they’ll do the rest. But if you can organise and talk, that will take you a long way.”
Donald also highlighted fitness as a vital part of becoming an effective playmaker, saying fatigue often leads to poor decisions and a lack of communication.
“If you’re making decisions when you’re tired, you’ll make bad decisions. The first thing that goes when you’re tired is your mouth. If you’re fit and still talking, that helps your team. You’ll also be able to execute your skills under pressure, whether it’s putting the ball into touch in the 79th minute, kicking accurately or delivering the right pass.”
He finished by reminding the young Drua prospects that while communication and fitness are crucial, strong core skills remain the foundation of every successful player.
“I’m a firm believer that you need to be the best passer in the team that’s a given. But if you’ve got a mouth and you’re fit, I think you can go so far, especially at this age,” he said.
