Rugby Australia and the Western Force are pleased to announce Ben Donaldson has signed a new contract until the end of 2025.
As part of the two-year-extension, the versatile playmaker will move to Perth for the 2024 and 2025 Super Rugby Pacific seasons.
Wallaby number 962, Donaldson made his Wallabies debut via the pine against Italy in Florence last year before a starting debut at flyhalf in the side’s memorable come from behind win over Wales in Cardiff.
His journey began as a junior at the Clovelly Eagles before being educated at Waverley College where he played two seasons in the first XV, earning selection for the Australian Schoolboys in 2017.
He was an integral part of the Junior Wallabies side that made the 2019 Under-20s World Cup final in Argentina, before making his Super Rugby debut for the NSW Waratahs the following year.
Following two years of Super Rugby exposure, Donaldson was selected for Australia A’s Pacific Nations Cup and Japan Tour squads in 2022, his form rewarded with Wallabies selection in the 2022 Spring Tour group.
A talented and versatile back who predominantly plays at flyhalf or fullback, the 24-year-old is the latest Wallaby to re-sign until at least the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2025.
Wallabies and Western Force back, Ben Donaldson said: “I’m really excited to continue my career in Perth. I’m really impressed by the program that Simon and the coaches are running and also by the squad that’s developing at the Western Force.”
“The team has plenty of talent, playing some unreal footy this season and I’m looking forward to earning the respect of the supporters and my teammates and getting an opportunity to contribute my skills and work ethic to the squad.
“It’s a really exciting time in Australian Rugby at the moment and I’m looking forward to continuing to improve as a player and fight for opportunities for higher honours.”
Wallabies head coach, Eddie Jones said: “Ben is a young player with plenty of potential and his re-signing is positive for Australian Rugby.”
Western Force head coach Simon Cron said: “As a team we need to grow our positional competition. It’s critical that we have competition in each position so when we train the intensity and accuracy tests our execution. Ultimately practice execution becomes game reality.”
“Dono [Donaldson] is a world-class player and a great human who will add to our squad. In talking with the other 10s, they are excited to have him onboard because it will only make everyone push to be their best.
“He is a triple threat in attack with a running game and kick and pass skillsets, which means the defence must think. Combine this with his drive to learn and the desire to be his best, we are excited to get him over here.
“We look forward to putting him in different situations and scenarios that will help him develop as a player and give him the structures around him that he needs to be successful.”
Ben Donaldson
Position: Flyhalf/Fullback
Height: 183cm
Weight: 87kg
Date of Birth: 4/4/1999
Place of Birth: Sydney, New South Wales
Test debut: 2022 v Italy in Florence
Test caps: 2
Super Rugby debut: 2020 v Western Force in Sydney (playing for the NSW Waratahs)
Super Rugby caps: 38
2023 eToro Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup Fixtures
Wallabies v South Africa, 5:05pm SAST/1:05am AEST, Saturday 8 July at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Wallabies v Argentina, 7:45pm AEST, Saturday 15 July at CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand, 7:45pm AEST, Saturday 29 July at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v New Zealand, 2:35pm NZST/12:35pm AEST Saturday 5 August at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
