Bath Rugby announced signing of All Blacks utility back Stephen Donald on a three-year deal
The Recreation Ground based English Rugby Union Club, Bath Rugby, has announced the signing of a long-term contract with former All Blacks international Stephen Donald. Bath officials have confirmed the signing of the three-year contract with Donald in a
statement released on their website on Friday, August 12.
The deal has strengthened the club’s squad for their upcoming Aviva Premiership and European campaigns.
Earlier the club had to overcome many hurdles to secure the services of the All Blacks international utility back. In the last of the series of events, the governing body of the rugby union in England, Rugby Football Union (RFU), objected to the signing
of Donald because he was a international player.
RFU were of the opinion that the Donald does not fill their criteria as international player as he did not play in the starting xv for the All Blacks, in last two years.
Earlier on Friday, RFU spokesman confirmed that that they have allowed Donald to play for Bath. Spokesperson said, “The panel accepted that Stephen Donald is an internationally established player of the highest calibre who can play an important role in
the development of the game at the top level in this country.”
Bath Rugby’s Director of Rugby, Sir Ian McGeechan, has expressed his delight on getting on step closer to sign the former All Blacks international fly half, Donald. He added, “We are very much looking forward to Stephen joining us here at Bath.”
McGeechan has termed Donald as a talented and skillful player and expressed his confidence that his presence at the club will help Bath’s senior professional team players and the young academy players.
McGeechan further added, “We expect him to fit in very well here at Bath, having a hugely positive influence on the squad on and off the pitch.”
The Papakura born Donald is a professional New Zealand Rugby Union player. He made his debut for the Chiefs against the Waratahs in the 2005. He has made 82 Super Rugby appearances and has scored 838 points.
The 27-year-old Donald progressed his way up through different All Blacks developmental programs. He has represented the All Blacks at the Junior World Champions and Under-21s team before making his debut for the All Blacks in 2008 against the England.
Donald has played 21 international games for the All Blacks and has scored 91 points.
Donald will now apply for the visa with the United Kingdom’s (UK) border agency, which hopefully will be the last hurdle for the star fly half to play in the Northern Hemisphere.
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