LONG READ Ben Donaldson: ‘I’m trying to play freer. In the past I've probably been guilty of over-thinking things’

Western Force’s season remains alive despite the loss to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday, but to reach a maiden Super Rugby Pacific finals series from here will almost certainly require three straight wins in their remaining games.

It was essentially a double jeopardy game in Canberra, a virtual ‘must win’ for both teams – for the Brumbies, to address the recent slide and stay in touch with the top four; for the Force, to gain some ground on the chasing pack of teams outside the top six desperately trying to fight their way into the play-offs.

The Perth-based outfit will be relying on current top-six teams dropping games to get in, but three wins at home against the Queensland Reds, Fijian Drua and NSW Waratahs would at least put them in the conversation.

The nature of their 32-15 defeat stung immediately after the game and will continue to sting. Force coach Simon Cron rued his side’s decision-making in the red zone, some inaccuracy with their driving mauls and suggested his team might have over-kicked, which looked a concerted plan to get league convert Zac Lomax into the contest, with some degree of success.

But what cannot be faulted was another strong game from fly-half Ben Donaldson, who continues to churn out consistent weekly performances that have been a major reason for the Force staying in contention this far into the season.

“To be honest, I feel like we’ve kind of been there and thereabouts all year,” Donaldson told me post-match in Canberra. “We had a very tough start to the year with a lot of the Kiwi sides, a few road trips and a lot of close losses. Two eight-point losses [against Highlanders and Hurricanes], one 10-point loss to one of the top sides in the comp [Chiefs]. We’ve had good things go our way, but then just needed a bit of momentum.

“One win turns into two and that’s kind of what’s happened the last few weeks, but it’s frustrating to go down to the Brumbies for sure.”

Donaldson and the Force had been in Canberra all last week, making the trip south straight away after completely outplaying the NSW Waratahs the week before. The win in Sydney came on the back of a superb defensive effort that prevented NSW from entering the Force 22 for more than 40 minutes.

“Our big boys, our forward pack, have been going really well the past few weeks. They’re making a lot of carries, a lot of tackles,” Donaldson said. “Our defence has come on leaps and bounds from last year and the year before. That’s been really pleasing for us.”

Crono’s been challenging me a lot this year around driving meetings, leading meetings, being that big voice in the team, which I have been and I have enjoyed. That definitely gives me confidence on the field as well.

Donaldson’s own form has been a weekly highlight reel, and when the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year voting went behind closed doors in Round 10, Donaldson was the leading Australian player behind the outright leader, Chiefs centre Quinn Tupaea.

Putting a finger on why he’s playing so well proves difficult. It feels like his game has gone to new levels and he’s always had the skills. But this year Donaldson is driving the team a lot better than he’s done in the past.

“I think the more rugby you play – it’s my third year now with this team, so a lot of the same boys, same coach – you just kind of get a bit more confident in your own skin,” Donaldson says.

“[Force coach] Crono’s been challenging me a lot this year around driving meetings, leading meetings, being that big voice in the team, which I have been and I have enjoyed. That definitely gives me confidence on the field as well.

“I think my mindset’s changed a little bit as well, trying to play freer this year. In the past I’ve probably been guilty of over-thinking things, maybe looking into the future a little bit too much. But this year, just trying to play free. For the most part, I think it’s been going pretty well.”

Cron was happy to repay the compliment to his key playmaker. “I have challenged him a lot this year, around little parts of his game, and he’s taken a step forward,” said the New Zealander.

“He’s playing flat in the line, attacking the line and becoming a more dominant game-caller. That’s a credit to him. You’ve seen the way he can play in previous games. It’s a credit to the work he puts in and how driven he is to be successful. It’s a privilege to coach him.”

Donaldson describes himself as a ‘laid-back character’ and credits working with a new mental skills coach and the relaxed lifestyle in Perth as key drivers behind his improved mindset.

Henry’s always had the skill, he’s always had the work ethic, the physicality. He just needed a chance and he’s got it this year, which is awesome to see.

Over the course of our chat, he was also quick to note the team-mates who have combined with him to produce maybe the best rugby the Western Force have played for years: Dylan Pietsch, Lomax and Mac Grealy in the back-three, giving him the key communication around space and alignment; Hamish Stewart, Kurtley Beale and former All Black George Bridge for their experience and knowledge in midfield; and especially scrum-half Henry Robertson, in whom Donaldson has found a No.9 to perfectly complement his own game.

“We played a little bit of schoolboys together, under-20s (the famed 2019 Junior Wallabies side), and then a little bit at the Waratahs, but never as much as we have this year.

“I feel like our combination’s been really good. He’s always had the skill, he’s always had the work ethic, the physicality. He just needed a chance and he’s got it this year, which is awesome to see. He’s been one of our best and he’s one of the best nines in the country at the moment, I reckon,” Donaldson said.

Sadly, just a fortnight after re-signing with the Force for another two seasons, Robertson had to be taken from the field in Canberra in the 15^th minute with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. His absence was felt immediately and will be a blow for the Force if their worst fears are realised.

The inevitable Wallabies question drew a smirk. As much as Donaldson is very clear about his focus on the Force right now, and very open about past lessons in which he probably let the mind wonder a bit far ahead, he’s also quick to concede the impending Test season is hard to ignore.

“Yeah, it’s always in the back of the mind,” he said. “You know, everyone’s dream or goal is to play for the Wallabies, to put on the gold jersey.

“I feel like I’ve developed a lot as a person and a player this year, doing a lot of mental skills work. A lot of that is to not look too far into the future, focus on the present, helping me become a better person and a player.

“You do see headlines pop up here and there but I try not to read them, to be honest. I got some good advice from some of the older boys. They said when you’re going good, you’ll know, and when you’re going bad, you’ll know that as well. I try to stay level-headed in that sense.”

But Donaldson has no doubt he’s now better equipped to deal with the pressure and scrutiny that comes at a higher level.

I’ve got a lot of things to work on still, but I’m feeling confident in my own game and feeling confident in the things that I can bring to the team.”

“Yeah, definitely. I think I’m even at that age now where I’ve got a good wealth of knowledge, learning every day off these blokes around me. I’ve played a lot of Super Rugby games now, been in the Wallabies mix with different coaches, so I feel like I’ve learned a lot.

“I’m definitely not the finished product, that’s for sure. I’ve got a lot of things to work on still, but I’m feeling confident in my own game and feeling confident in the things that I can bring to the team.”

Donaldson says guiding the Force to a maiden Super Rugby Pacific finals series would be “awesome”, but also just reward for the hard work the whole squad has put in over in the west. Three late afternoon games to finish the season in front of the Force’s strong ‘Sea of Blue’ supporter base is an enticing way to finish the season, particularly if they can win what they will see as three very winnable games.

If he can do that, the rewards in the form of individual recognition and accolades will take care of themselves.

“Ultimately winning probably helps selection at a higher level as well,” Donaldson concludes. “So my full focus is here at the moment: do a job for these boys and finish the season well.”