The Waikato first five Stephen Donald is simply not just a stop gap measure ahead of the much anticipated return of Daniel Carter according to the All Blacks coaching staff.
Assistant coach Wayne Smith says Donald played some good cameo roles last season including coming on in the Brisbane Test that decided the Tri Nations and the Bledisloe Cup.
He says Donald's performance at first-five in the last 30 minutes with Carter at second-five made a signifiant contribution to the win.
Smith says they have a lot of faih in Donald's ability and the way he's bounced back from adversity.
