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Stephen Donald - Beaver
Stephen Donald etched himself into All Blacks folklore with that 'kick' in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park. Donald, one of the country's most popular All Blacks, had not originally been wanted for the World Cup squad. He was whitebaiting in the Waikato and effectively off the rugby grid when the SOS went out for his services. The rest, as they say, is history. That one penalty goal in the final has ensured him a special place in All Blacks history. Now, Donald is combining with the hugely talented rugby writer and commentator Scotty 'Sumo' Stevenson in a book which will cover not only Donald's sporting career and his part in the All Blacks' historic Cup win, but also poke the borax at both himself and his team mates. Stevenson's unique brand of humour - he collaborated with Cory Jane on the screaming funny Cory Winging It - will ensure Beaver's book will be one to be both remembered and most feared (especially if you're a high profile teammate!)
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 11, 2017
Stephen Donald - Beaver
by Scotty Stevenson
Synopsis
Stephen Donald etched himself into All Blacks folklore with that 'kick' in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park. Donald, one of the country's most popular All Blacks, had not originally been wanted for the World Cup squad. He was whitebaiting in the Waikato and effectively off the rugby grid when the SOS went out for his services. The rest, as they say, is history. That one penalty goal in the final has ensured him a special place in All Blacks history. Now, Donald is combining with the hugely talented rugby writer and commentator Scotty 'Sumo' Stevenson in a book which will cover not only Donald's sporting career and his part in the All Blacks' historic Cup win, but also poke the borax at both himself and his team mates. Stevenson's unique brand of humour - he collaborated with Cory Jane on the screaming funny Cory Jane: Winging It - will ensure Beaver's book will be one to be both remembered and most feared (especially if you're a high profile teammate!)
Review
It amazes me how society can absolutely annihilate a persons reputation and shred their confidence and self worth. Stephen Donald faced this when he missed a conversion in 2010 while playing Australia.New Zealand s arch sporting rival. He was written off by journalists, selectors and die hard fans, who blamed Stephen for the loss. His past achievements didn't matter. This was not the way Stephen wanted to finish his international rugby playing career. One year later during the final of the world cup Stephen Donald runs onto the field and converts a crucial goal that won New Zealand the rugby world cup. I'm as patriotic as any other Kiwi and love watching The All Blacks and really enjoyed reading about Stephens highs and lows.
Stephen pokes fun and himself and his team mates and comes across as a good honest kiwi bloke, hes not self centered or self absorbed and his story is a cracking good read, for fans of The AB's and sport fans everywhere.
by Scotty Stevenson
Synopsis
Stephen Donald etched himself into All Blacks folklore with that 'kick' in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park. Donald, one of the country's most popular All Blacks, had not originally been wanted for the World Cup squad. He was whitebaiting in the Waikato and effectively off the rugby grid when the SOS went out for his services. The rest, as they say, is history. That one penalty goal in the final has ensured him a special place in All Blacks history. Now, Donald is combining with the hugely talented rugby writer and commentator Scotty 'Sumo' Stevenson in a book which will cover not only Donald's sporting career and his part in the All Blacks' historic Cup win, but also poke the borax at both himself and his team mates. Stevenson's unique brand of humour - he collaborated with Cory Jane on the screaming funny Cory Jane: Winging It - will ensure Beaver's book will be one to be both remembered and most feared (especially if you're a high profile teammate!)
Review
It amazes me how society can absolutely annihilate a persons reputation and shred their confidence and self worth. Stephen Donald faced this when he missed a conversion in 2010 while playing Australia.New Zealand s arch sporting rival. He was written off by journalists, selectors and die hard fans, who blamed Stephen for the loss. His past achievements didn't matter. This was not the way Stephen wanted to finish his international rugby playing career. One year later during the final of the world cup Stephen Donald runs onto the field and converts a crucial goal that won New Zealand the rugby world cup. I'm as patriotic as any other Kiwi and love watching The All Blacks and really enjoyed reading about Stephens highs and lows.
Stephen pokes fun and himself and his team mates and comes across as a good honest kiwi bloke, hes not self centered or self absorbed and his story is a cracking good read, for fans of The AB's and sport fans everywhere.
March 9, 2019
The ups and downs of a great player in the Black Jersey.
Very well written. Hats off to Beaver. He knew he wasn't the best but with hard work and determination he got his chances.
Very well written. Hats off to Beaver. He knew he wasn't the best but with hard work and determination he got his chances.
January 9, 2024
Very good book to read. Lots of great yarns, really well written. Definitely recommend
January 14, 2026
My son demanded a five-star rating. It was nice to read this with him.
August 12, 2017
Hallelujah. One man has brought together two of New Zealand's unofficial religions. Rugby and whitebaiting. Stephen Donald became our best known whitebaiter during the lead-up to the final of 2011's Rugby World Cup. He was rushed from his stand somewhere in the Waikato as cover when a string of injuries to Dan Carter, Colin Slade and Aaron Cruder forced the selectors to recall him from the rugby wilderness.
Among other boys-own type stories this is what makes "Beaver", the Stephen Donald story, written together with sports broadcaster, Scotty Stevenson, so interesting. Donald comes across as down to earth, highly self-critical, and just a good all round bloke.
We visit the lows as well as the highs in his rugby career, especially that of his All Black playing days. Following an infamous conclusion to their Bledisloe Cup game against the Wallabies in Hong Kong Stephen Donald was basically ostracised by the obsessive followers of the game and dropped by the selectors. His two mortal sins were missing a crucial penalty, and not kicking the ball into touch at fulltime which resulted in an unlikely loss to the All Blacks. That was Donald's low point, but, luckily for him, redemption came in the tightly fought final of the World Cup in 2011 when he slotted the winning goal, days after the whitebaiting call-up.
Yes, this is a book for rugby fans, especially Kiwis, but its also a fun read, as Donald's generally upbeat personality shines through. And, in case you're wondering where the nickname Beaver came from, it was bestowed on him as a young feller when his two upper front teeth were prominent and one of his mates gave him the name which has remained attached ever since.
Among other boys-own type stories this is what makes "Beaver", the Stephen Donald story, written together with sports broadcaster, Scotty Stevenson, so interesting. Donald comes across as down to earth, highly self-critical, and just a good all round bloke.
We visit the lows as well as the highs in his rugby career, especially that of his All Black playing days. Following an infamous conclusion to their Bledisloe Cup game against the Wallabies in Hong Kong Stephen Donald was basically ostracised by the obsessive followers of the game and dropped by the selectors. His two mortal sins were missing a crucial penalty, and not kicking the ball into touch at fulltime which resulted in an unlikely loss to the All Blacks. That was Donald's low point, but, luckily for him, redemption came in the tightly fought final of the World Cup in 2011 when he slotted the winning goal, days after the whitebaiting call-up.
Yes, this is a book for rugby fans, especially Kiwis, but its also a fun read, as Donald's generally upbeat personality shines through. And, in case you're wondering where the nickname Beaver came from, it was bestowed on him as a young feller when his two upper front teeth were prominent and one of his mates gave him the name which has remained attached ever since.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews