Cult hero to lead Chiefs into battle

NEW Zealand rugby cult hero Stephen Donald will lead the Waikato Chiefs against the British and Irish Lions in Hamilton tomorrow.

Donald gained fame when he was recalled from a fishing holiday after a spate of injuries depleted New Zealand’s flyhalf stocks in the 2011 World Cup and he ended up kicking the winning penalty in the final.

It was his first test in 12 months and he has not played for the All Blacks since.

When his rugby career appeared almost over, Donald cemented his place in New Zealand folklore when asked to captain the Chiefs against Wales last year and led them to a 40-7 victory.

The 33-year-old – who played the first of his 23 tests nine years ago – is one of five All Blacks in the Chiefs side to play the Lions along with Nepo Laulala, Dominic Bird, Hika Elliot and Liam Messam.