Watch: ‘Wallaby in the making’ steals the show vs Fijian Drua

Winger Ben O’Donnell stole the show during a thrilling first half between the Brumbies and Fijian Drua in Canberra, and is even being talked about as a “Wallaby in the making.”

Heading into this round eight clash, the Brumbies would’ve been considered the heavy favourites – and they played like it early on.

The Brumbies shot out of the blocks at a rapid speed, and it was former Australian sevens ace Ben O’Donnell who led the way.

After getting the ball inside the Drua’s 22 early on, the Brumbies’ backs spread the ball wide right. Fullback Tom Wright drew in a couple of defenders before the offloading the ball to his flying winger.

O’Donnell had a bit of work to do – but really, he made it look easy – as the 27-year-old ran in for the opener in just the fourth minute.

The winger nearly had a second a few minutes later too, only for the try to be ruled out by the TMO for a forward pass.

But the winger going wasn’t going to be denied a second time.

Sometimes athletes need a bit of luck to go their way, and O’Donnell had it in spades as he crossed for his brace inside the opening 15 minutes.

The luck of the bounce for Ben O’Donnell 👌#BRUvDRU #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/DLLUhcMqQZ

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 14, 2023

Centre Len Ikitau put a clever left-foot grubber kick in-behind the Drua defence, and the flying winger managed to get a toe to the ball as he chased after it.

But the ball went straight into Drua halfback Peni Matawalu – only for it to bounce right back to O’Donnell, who ended up crossing in the left corner.

#BRUvDRU Ben O’Donnell, Wallaby in the making?, playing very well out there, if it was not for a forward pass he would have had a hat trick.

— Shane Moran (@scoolm8) April 14, 2023

Ben O’Donnell is Drua kryptonite #BRUvDRU

— Rhys Knott (@wrhys_writes) April 14, 2023

After just 13 minutes, O’Donnell had a double, and almost had a hat-trick to his name as well. The speedster had shown plenty of skill and poise with both of his efforts.

O’Donnell made his Super Rugby Pacific debut earlier this season, having become Brumby No. 250, and certainly hasn’t looked out of place during his breakdown campaign so far.