NO FRET FOR ALL BLACKS

Former Rugby World Cup winner says NZ must stick to their strengths

- Kimberly Kwek Sports Correspondent

Retired All Black Stephen Donald supervising a rugby workshop at Tanglin Trust School on Oct 23. The former fly-half, who kicked what turned out to be the winning penalty in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, is excited by his country's emerging talent like Peter Lakai, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea and Cam Roigard. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

(MARK CHEONG)

Rugby is more than just a sport in New Zealand - it is deeply woven into the country's culture and identity.

But with that status comes immense pressure, which is felt most acutely when results do not go the All Blacks' way.

Recent defeats by South Africa and Argentina have intensified scrutiny on the team, but former All Black Stephen Donald believes moments like these are when character and hard work matter most.

"Players take those losses with them and wear them when you lose as an All Black, you don't feel better about yourself until the next game when you win," said Donald in an interview on Oct 23 on the sidelines of an All Blacks rugby clinic held at Tanglin Trust School.

"Everyone who plays for the All Blacks and coaches the All Blacks knows how important it is to New Zealand, so it's not a nice thing to be in that situation.

"But when you're in that situation, all you can do is work hard, look in the mirror and accept that what you're doing is not good enough and you just have to find a way to be better."