He may have been off the Super Rugby scene for a wee while, but 35-year-old Stephen Donald has made a successful return at the Chiefs, fitting in almost seamlessly according to captain Brodie Retallick.
Despite an entire preseason worth of gameplans to cram into a week ahead of Friday's match against the Highlanders in Hamilton, Retallick says Beaver is handling his return well.
"One kick and he's back," Retallick joked.
"It's a lot to learn in a week but a lot of the stuff is pretty similar to what he has already experienced here so that helps.
"But he's fitted in well and when he's come into the team he's taken control as we know he does - I guess that's what experience does for a player like him."
Donald signed with the Chiefs on Monday as an injury replacement for first-five Tiaan Falcon, who will miss the entire 2019 season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Chiefs coach Colin Cooper said earlier this week Donald will bring a lot of experience and "mana" to his side.
"We are pleased to have Stephen Donald the Beaver re-join our Chiefs whānau for 2019," he said. "He is a great team man who brings a wealth of experience and mana to our side.
"He is a good conductor of the game and will deliver for the team when provided the opportunity."
Donald debuted for the Chiefs in 2005 and has played over 100 games for the Waikato Super Rugby franchise.
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