'It looks like he's going to finish this game on a zimmer frame': Standing ovation as Stephen Donald hobbles off field
New Zealand World Cup hero Stephen Donald received a standing ovation from fans after he helped lead the Waikato Chiefs to a 40-7 victory over Wales in Hamilton.
There has already been a film made about the life story of the New Zealand folk-hero who kicked the winning penalty in the 2011 World Cup final, and the 32-year-old showed there is room for another chapter after he stole the limelight during last night's match.
Donald had a hand in all the decisive moments as the Chiefs survived on scraps of possession.
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The captain set the tone for what was to follow when he set-up the opening try by halfback Brad Weber with an offload around the back of a defender.
Donald also looked to have crossed the line for a try of his own, but it was disallowed because television replays could not show he grounded the ball.
The 32-year-old also battled cramp during the match, but refused to leave the field, leaving commentators to joke: "It looks like he's going to finish this game on a zimmer frame."
With 12 minutes left on the clock, Donald knocked over his fourth conversion of the night, before he hobbled off the field stricken with cramp.
"My little calves couldn't get me the distance," said Donald, who has only played 35 minutes of Super Rugby this year.
The crowd rose for a huge ovation and chanted his nickname "Bea-ver, Bea-ver" as he left the field.
He was embarrassed by that, but said he was proud of his team's performance.
"Just can't put into words how proud I am of that Chiefs team tonight, just a lot of young guys, guys making their debuts against an international team and guys that have played just one game and so it was just inspiring to be a part of it really," Radio New Zealand reported him as saying.
Coach Dave Rennie said it was a "pretty special performance".
"I think our leadership group, led by Beaver, did a really good job of creating a hell of a lot of excitement. There was an opportunity to get an international scalp and we knew it was going to be watched by massive numbers around the world. So we're just really proud."
READ MORE: Chiefs thump Wales 40-7
It took Wales until the 55th minute to get on the board when replacement hooker Kristian Dacey barged over to finish off a lineout drive with Rhys Priestland adding the extras.
As Wales emptied their bench they controlled the next 10 minutes but despite the efforts of Priestland, Aaron Jarvis and Charteris they could not breach the Chiefs' defence.
The loss to Chiefs, following the 39-21 defeat in the first Test, provided few answers for Wales coach Warren Gatland looking for a way to beat the All Blacks in the second Test in Wellington on Saturday.
Gatland said "it was disappointing".
"[The Chiefs] defended well and, when the chances came their way, they were excellent. They dominated us at collision time and sometimes the game of rugby is very simple - it's a physical game about collisions."
Wales skipper, Luke Charteris, said his team could offer no excuses for the heavy defeat.
"They gave us a lesson. It was a tough lesson to take. We'll have to go back and take a look at it and look at ourselves. It's not acceptable to lose like that," he said.
