Stephen Donald - is he the right man for Bath
Bath have signed All Black fly-half Stephen Donald.
The 27-year-old is believed to have signed a two-and-half-year contract with the West Country outfit and is the first of Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan's post season signings.
Having won 22 caps with the All Black's Donald is expected to be named as part of the New Zealand squad for this year's World Cup, after which he will arrive at the Recreation Ground.
At 6ft 3in and almost 16 stone the Kiwi will be a physical presence in the Bath back line and is described as "energetic and reliable and considered a like for like replacement for the outgoing Butch James.
Following the announcement of South African James' departure the club had been linked with the man who heads the fly-half pecking order in New Zealand, Dan Carter. However following his commitment to another four years with the New Zealand Rugby Union these rumours were squashed.
Bath, who finished 5th in the Aviva Premiership last campaign had even been linked with the out of favour Melbourne Rebels fly-half Danny Cipriani as he looks to resurrect his career after a turbulent start to life in Super rugby.
As is policy with the NZRU upon his move to Europe Donald will no longer be considered for selection by the All Blacks.
But who exactly is Stephen Donald for those who do not frequent Super rugby?
Donald started life at Counties Manukau, from their moving to the Chiefs after two seasons and represents Waikato in the provincial competition, the Air New Zealand Cup.
Not only is Donald's physical presence of note in his position of first five-eight but his popularity in Hamilton stems from his accuracy with both the boot and in his passing. During the 2007 Super 14 season the Waikato Chiefs play maker topped the point scoring charts going onto finish second in 2008, an example of his prolific points scoring.
His 133 points in the 2006 Super 14 season set a new Chiefs record for the most points score in a single-season, only Dan Carter scoring more in a single season.
Having played for the All Black's at age group level he is a product of both the New Zealand under 21 teams and the Junior All Blacks, representing the side for three years.
Donald found himself in rare possession of the No.10 All Black shirt for much of 2009 during Dan Carter's absence through an Achilles injury and therefore is seen as second choice to the Crusaders stand-off looking ahead to New Zealand's World Cup squad announcement in July.
Donald's international debut came against England in 2008 and will therefore be familiar to Lee Mears & Olly Barkley upon his arrival after the World Cup later this year.
