Rugby World Cup winning All Black flyhalf Stephen Donald is returning to New Zealand having signed a contract with Waikato for the NPC season.
Donald had been linked with a move to Toulon in France but is expected to be available for Waikato when they take on Bay of Plenty on 30 August in Tauranga.
It will be the 31-year-old’s 1st outing in New Zealand since he came off the bench to kick what turned out to be winning penalty in the All Blacks’ 8 / 7 win over France at the 2011 Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park.
Donald was famously called into the squad while fishing, after the All Blacks were hit by an injury crisis at flyhalf during the tournament.
He went on to join English club Bath and has just ended a stint with the Dynaboars in Japan.
Donald, Waikato’s 5th highest all-time points scorer, played 57 games for the province between 2004 and 2011 and is delighted to be able to contribute once more.
“I have some great memories playing for Waikato and I can’t wait to pull on the jersey again and represent the province I am very passionate about,” Donald said.
“It is an exciting opportunity for me and I am looking forward to getting the NPC campaign underway and running out onto Waikato Stadium once again.”
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