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Chiefs cult hero Stephen Donald defends his 'Peaky Blinder' haircut

Stephen Donald warms up prior to the Chiefs v Highlanders. Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images

Stephen Donald has issued a warning to fans after a personal style change caught the eye.

“Be careful what you ask for at the barber,” Donald said after his fresh look stole headlines during the Chiefs’ opening round loss at the hands of the Highlanders.

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Donald joined the squad earlier in the week after the Chiefs were without four of their five-eighths – Damian McKenzie (ankle), Jack Debreczeni (abdominal strain), Tiaan Falcon (achilles) and Marty McKenzie (hip) – and donned the No 22 shirt with Orbyn Leger taking the reins at 10.

Of his haircut, Donald told media after the match “I got a recommendation about the barber to go into and unfortunately now it looks like I’m a Peaky Blinder, the boys have quite enjoyed that when I unveiled it today.”

“I actually went in there trying to look a little younger and lessen the greys, but I came out looking like, as I say, a member of the Peaky Blinders, which I’m not sure if that’s the look I’m going for.”

“I was just trying to keep up with the young kids these days, got to be careful what you ask for at the barber.”

35-year-old Donald added that he was ecstatic to rejoin the Chiefs. Donald last played for the club in 2017 after spending the last two seasons in Japan.

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“Very unexpected, bit stiff, only coming in on Monday not ideal preparation for a Super season,” he said.

“Great to be back here, obviously hell of a shock to the system considering where my headspace was two weeks ago, it certainly wasn’t about round one.”

The Chiefs now head to Canberra to take on the Brumbies in round two who will also be looking to bounce back after a close loss.

Rugby World Cup City Guides – Oita:

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Nickers 21 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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