Sam Donaldson - Chop ‘em down low

Above: St Pat's Town face the St Pat's Silverstream pre-match challenge when they met a few weeks ago in their midweek Traditional. PHOTO: Andy McArthur.

St Patrick’s College, Silverstream have won 21 games in a row in the Premiership competition and haven’t lost to their Grand Final opponent, St Patrick’s College, Wellington since 2015.

The last time Stream played Town the former prevailed by a record score of 52-10. How can David topple Goliath at Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua on Sunday?

“Chop ‘em down at the ankles,” responds openside flanker Sam Donaldson.

The diminutive and tigerish seven has been a key figure in Town’s season and warns Town was thrashed by semi-final opponent Scots College in the round robin. How was that outcome reversed?

“We made our tackles,” Donaldson responds.

“I think our fitness and organisation on defence has really improved,” he continued.

Despite better tackling, Town’s prospects of making the decider appeared to be bleak late in their semi-final. With four minutes remaining, Town was down 19-26, but tries to replacement prop Soul Lauvi Johnson and centre Emin Kaya from the kick-off and with the final play of the match resulted in an improbable 33-26 victory.

“It was really crazy,” Donaldson admits.

“Our fitness has improved massively and this is important. If we can stop Stream’s big ball runners and hang in the fight our confidence will grow,” Donaldson stresses.

Wellington Lion Greg Foe is aligned with fitness company Elevate. The flanker has been running three crossfit sessions a week for the Town First XV before school. Donaldson is a big fan.

“Crossfit has been great for the boys. You feel real good afterwards and can see the benefits when you play,” he acclaims.

Silverstream have only leaked 73 points while scoring 534 in 10 games. The Upper Hutt based outfit is the warmest of favourites. However between 2010 and 2015 the lower ranked qualifier won the decider. Silverstream have lost five finals in Porirua. Donaldson is adamant Town has the size and talent to match Silverstream.

No.8 and Captain Keelan Whitman is a genuine contender for the New Zealand Secondary Schools. Jeremiah Tuiatua is one of the more impressive age group props in the capital while lock Liam McAree was a hero in the Wellington College traditional scoring a 50-metre run away try to win the game close to fulltime.

In the backs right wing Sanele Aukusitino was in dazzling form against Scots and first-five Luke Walmsley is growing in confidence.

“The past doesn't matter. It comes down to the best team on the day and we're ready for the fight,” Donaldson concludes.

Sam is the son of Glenn Donaldson who coached Town to two premierships in 1996 and 2015. His older brother Zac is a halfback who appeared for Hawke’s Bay last season and was a member of the Napier Old Boys Marist Premiers who won over 40 consecutive games in the local senior competition over the past two years.

The Premiership final between St Patrick’s College, Silverstream and St Patrick’s College Town kicks off on Sunday at the revised time of 12:40 pm at Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua.