Stephen Donald: The 10 who replaced the 10 who replaced the 10 who replaced the 10

It was such an uplifting, outlandish tale, one which saw a figure who had once been derided and abused become nothing less than an instant national treasure, that Stephen Donald was told by his one of his teammates after they’d won the World Cup: “Beaver, mate, there’s gotta be a film in your story.”

Richard Kahui, it transpires, wasn’t wrong. In the annals of sport, has any single reputation soared quicker, higher, more spectacularly or more permanently than after Donald slotted over a penalty he would expect to convert nine times out ten?

Only this one won the World Cup for the All Blacks at Eden Park and it transformed his life forever. And, as for that movie? It came out this time last year, with the part of the rugged hero played by some smooth Hollywood-based actor and Donald acting as its consultant. It was called simply ‘The Kick’.