Talking Sport Now & Then: Steve Hossack names his all-time best Dons side made up of overseas stars

Overseas stars born in countries such Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, France, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Fiji and Zimbabwe have shone for the Dons over the last 40 years.

It all kicked off when New Zealand Junior Kiwi, Tony Kemp, arrived at Tattersfield at the start of the 1986-87 campaign during John Sheridan’s spell in charge.

Kemp quickly became a cult hero with the Dons’ fans when producing a series of cultured performances at stand-off and centre in his two seasons at the club before going on to star for Australian side Newcastle Knights and domestic giants Castleford, Leeds and Bradford.

He went on to coach New Zealand Warriors and later spent time as the Kiwi’s football manager.

He was followed by another Junior Kiwi in Carl Hall in 1988. Although Hall didn’t have the play-making skills of his fellow countryman, he was quicker and more direct.

Hall went on to make 100 appearances for the Dons, scoring 58 tries, prior to joining Bradford midway through the 1993-4 season which ended with his former side winning promotion to the top flight.

Hall went on to play for Leeds, Wakefield and Featherstone before returning to Doncaster in the twilight of his career during Ian St John Ellis’s spell in charge in 2000. Although he had lost some of his pace by then, Hall still proved a regular try-scorer over the next couple of years.

It was, however, his role in putting together a consortium to save the club in 2009 for which he will always be remembered.

I must admit that I didn’t fancy his chances but he has more than proved me wrong and is still doing an excellent job as the club’s CEO having handed over the reins to Club Doncaster in 2013.

Other New Zealanders to have won over the hearts of the Doncaster faithful include charismatic forward Sonny Whakarau, hard as nails hooker Peter Edwards and current forwards Tyla Hepi and Suaia Matagi – the latter still doing the business aged 38.

Stand-off/centre Paul Mansson and scrum-half Latham Tawhai must rank among the best half-backs in their respective positions to play for the club over the years.

Mansson’s ‘show and go’ could open up the best of defences, and but for injury problems would likely have made an even bigger impact at the club. Tawhai will always be remembered for his organisation and creativity with the ball.

Martin Moana, who could play stand-off or loose-forward, also made his mark in the early 2000s.

Samoan Vila Matuatia, originally a centre who successfully switched to the pack later in his career which included a successful spell at Super League giants St Helens, was a huge favourite. His fearless running with ball in hand and his crunching tackling, helped bring the crowds flocking to Tattersfield in the early-mid-90s during a time when Doncaster Rovers’ fortunes were at a low ebb.

Fellow Samoan Misi Taulapapa, currently part of the club’s backroom team, also did his country proud during his long career, some of which was spent playing for the Dons.

Fewer Australians have lined up for the Dons over the years but one of the best has to be classy utility back Craig Weston who was equally at home playing stand-off centre or full-back.

Loose-forward Ian French also served the club well during his short stay as has current hooker Connor Jones and the recently departed Pauli Pauli, who proved a huge fans’ favourite in the last three seasons.

Papua New Guinea has proved a rich hunting ground for the club in recent years with now retired strong-running centre Jason Tali and fellow internationals (winger/full-back) Edene Gebbie and utility back Watson Boas - both set to go around next season – following in his footsteps.

Nigerian-born forward Muizz Mustapha dominated the recent awards night following a successful debut season at the club.

I have picked the following team, based on players (some of whom are not in their preferred positions) who have spent at least one season at the club during my time covering the Dons.

Weston, Hall, Tali, Kemp, Gebbie, Mansson, Tawhai, Paleaaesina, Jones, Matagi, Whakarau, Matautia, Mustapha. Subs: Boas, Moana, Edwards, Pauli.