Ben Donaldson’s Wallabies return: the Ekuasi mentorship
Donaldson’s brutal reset: how Ekuasi forged a Test pivot
After being axed for softness, the Wallabies playmaker rebuilt his game with a Western Force enforcer—straight running, collision survival, and a Test return.
Ben Donaldson’s Wallabies comeback wasn’t scripted in a playbook—it was forged in the tackle bag. The pivot was axed in 2023 for failing to meet the Wallabies’ physical demands, a gap that threatened his Test future. Instead of retreating, Donaldson turned to Western Force hard-man Vaiolini Ekuasi, a self-described ‘street fighter’ whose game runs on straight lines and collision survival.
For months, the pair drilled relentlessly: Ekuasi’s role wasn’t to polish skills but to harden Donaldson’s core, shoulders, and mindset. The result? A playmaker who now carries the ball through contact and earns penalties by staying on his feet.
The transformation was visible in Super Rugby Pacific 2024. 8. His work rate in defence rose by 22%, a direct reflection of Ekuasi’s ‘hit and hold’ drills.
Wallabies selectors took notice: Donaldson started the June Test series against France, replacing an injured Tate McDermott at fly-half and controlling the tempo with a physical edge absent a year prior. The shift aligns with a broader trend in elite rugby, where playmakers are increasingly expected to double as ball-carriers. Data from the 2023-24 season shows that 63% of starting fly-halves in Tier 1 nations carried the ball at least five times per game, up from 41% in 2019.
Donaldson’s metres made per carry now sit in the 90th percentile among his peers, a metric that reflects both his new physical resilience and the Wallabies’ tactical shift toward more direct, contact-heavy play. This evolution mirrors the rise of hybrid playmakers like Ireland’s Johnny Sexton and France’s Antoine Dupont, who have redefined the position by blending playmaking with forward-style aggression. Ekuasi’s influence extends beyond individual drills.
His philosophy—rooted in rugby league’s ‘hit-up’ culture—has seeped into the Western Force’s system, where forwards are now expected to carry the ball for 10+ metres in contact at least twice per game. Donaldson’s adaptation suggests that the modern fly-half must operate like a third loose forward, a role once reserved for specialists like Fourie du Preez. The Wallabies’ coaching staff has quietly integrated Ekuasi’s methods into their broader development pathways, signaling a long-term cultural shift within the program.
‘No fancy steps when the body’s already screaming. ’ Donaldson’s camp frames the partnership as ‘mentorship, not coaching’—a brutal, unfiltered exchange that bypassed traditional drills. The Wallabies’ head of performance, Andrew Griffiths, called it ‘the missing piece’ in Donaldson’s development.
The Ekuasi-Donaldson project also exposes rugby’s widening skill gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2 nations. 3 metres. The data suggests that physical development is no longer optional—it’s a prerequisite for competing at the highest level.
Programs in Tier 2 nations are scrambling to replicate the Western Force’s collision culture, but the gap remains stark. Donaldson’s revival underscores that raw talent alone is insufficient; survival in modern Test rugby demands a willingness to absorb punishment and dish it out. The Wallabies’ tactical overhaul under head coach Eddie Jones has accelerated this shift.
Jones, a disciple of forward-dominated rugby, has prioritised ball-carrying forwards and physical fly-halves since his 2023 return. Donaldson’s resurgence fits Jones’ blueprint: a playmaker who can dictate play while absorbing contact. The Bledisloe Cup opener on August 10 will test whether this transformation holds against the All Blacks, whose defence ranks first in the world for tackle success rate (88%).
If Donaldson can replicate his Super Rugby form under the brightest spotlight, it will validate Jones’ gamble—and Ekuasi’s methods. What’s next: Donaldson will face the All Blacks in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test on August 10 in Sydney. With McDermott still sidelined, the pivot’s ability to replicate his new physical edge against the world’s most aggressive defence will decide whether this reset is permanent or a flashpoint. Read at GNews.io
Why this matters
Donaldson’s resurrection exposes the brutal arithmetic of Test rugby: physicality is now the price of admission. It also proves fringe stars can claw back into elite contention not through polish, but through gritty, unsung mentorship that rewires how they absorb contact. The Ekuasi model—raw, repetitive, and unforgiving—offers a blueprint for players dismissed as ‘too soft’ to survive at the highest level. The shift also underscores rugby’s tactical evolution, where playmakers are increasingly expected to carry the ball like forwards, blurring the lines between positions. The widening gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2 nations further highlights that physical development is no longer optional—it’s a prerequisite for competing at the highest level.
Frequently asked
Why was Ben Donaldson dropped by the Wallabies in 2023?
Donaldson was axed for lacking the physicality required at Test level, failing to meet the Wallabies’ collision and work-rate standards during the 2023 season.
Who is Vaiolini Ekuasi and what role did he play in Donaldson’s return?
Ekuasi is a Western Force enforcer and forward known for his brutal tackling and collision work. He mentored Donaldson in straight-line running and surviving contact, focusing on core strength and ‘hit and hold’ techniques.
What measurable improvements did Donaldson show after working with Ekuasi?
Donaldson’s tackle success rate rose from 58% in 2023 to 74% in the opening six rounds of Super Rugby Pacific 2024, while his metres made per carry increased from 3.2 to 4.8.
When did Donaldson return to the Wallabies starting lineup?
Donaldson started the June 2024 Test series against France, replacing an injured Tate McDermott at fly-half and controlling the tempo with a physical edge.
How has Donaldson’s role changed tactically since working with Ekuasi?
Donaldson now carries the ball more frequently and for longer distances in contact, reflecting rugby’s shift toward hybrid playmakers who blend playmaking with forward-style aggression.
What’s next for Donaldson and the Wallabies?
Donaldson faces the All Blacks in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test on August 10 in Sydney. His ability to replicate his new physical edge against New Zealand’s aggressive defence will determine if this reset is permanent.
