Ben Donaldson has had his wish granted to play for the Western Force against the British and Irish Lions with the flyhalf replacing an injured Kurtley Beale.
The 26-year-old is en route from the Wallabies’ Sydney base to Perth to tackle the tourists in their first match of the campaign at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
The Wallabies confirmed his departure and news of Beale’s injury but didn’t provide any details of the seriousness, with the 95-Test veteran returning this year from a ruptured Achilles.
Donaldson was asked about his desire to play for the Force this week, given he could miss taking on the Lions altogether given there are three players vying to wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey.
He said his preference was to take on the Lions in front of his home fans, but it wasn’t his decision.
“Obviously, it’s kind of out of the players’ control … we just do what the coaches want,” Donaldson said on Wednesday.
“Any chance you get to play against the Lions, you probably take it with both hands.
“I’m hearing it’s going to be a huge crowd out at Optus (Stadium) in Perth so it would be extremely exciting, especially off the back of the year we had at the Force this year.
“Even to play in front of the fans, just to give them something to cheer about to finish the year, it would have been awesome.”
Donaldson becomes the sixth Force player selected in the Wallabies squad to be released, which should appease the Lions after complaints from their manager about Australia’s best players not turning out for their states.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-union/wallabies-donaldson-sent-to-join-force-against-lions-c-19160871
