31 Oct 2010

Donald must shoulder some of the blame for loss

11:45 am on 31 October 2010

The All Blacks coach Graham Henry's left first five Stephen Donald in no doubt he must shoulder some of the blame for the side's first loss of the year, beaten 26-24 by Australia in Hong Kong.

The Wallabies finally ended a 10-match losing streak to New Zealand, when winger James O'Connor scored in injury time after the fulltime siren had sounded and then coverted his own try.

The All Blacks appeared to have recovered from a slow start trailing 12-0, to lead 17-12 at half-time and extended that to 24-12.

Donald replaced Dan Carter midway through the second half, missed a penalty which would have sealed the win then failed to find touch with a clearing kick which gave the ball back to the Wallabies and from which O'Connor scored.

Henry says Donald knows he didn't have a good game but is a mature enough player to get over it.