But he is not having any anxious nights waiting for a phone call from coach Graham Henry.
With incumbent All Black Ali Williams injured, Donnelly could expect to be the next lock called into the squad for the first Tri-Nations test against the Springboks at Wellington on July 5.
The other two All Blacks from the Matakanui club are lock Lester Harvey (1949-50) and fullback Bevan Wilson (1977-79).
Donnelly has a relaxed approach to life and does not see any merit in getting anxious and pent up.
"You never know with ankle injuries. He could be right for the test match," Donnelly said.
"The All Blacks are having a week off. They will probably make a decision next week, when they get back together."
If it does not happen during the Tri-Nations, Donnelly will be looking towards the end-of-year tour to the northern hemisphere.
"Definitely. I've got to get a good Air New Zealand Cup. If I can perform well in that, everything is possible," he said.
"My main focus over the next two or three months is to perform well for Otago."
Like any serious rugby player in New Zealand, it has always been Donnelly's goal to make the All Blacks.
"Everyone's got the same opportunity. You just have to perform and hope things go your way," he said.
Last year, Donnelly had the opportunity to keep himself in front of the New Zealand selectors by playing for the Junior All Blacks.
But that team has been disbanded and New Zealand Maori is now ranked next to the All Blacks.
"I enjoyed my time in the Juniors. I thought it was a good team," he said.
"But I'm enjoying the break now. It's freshening me for a good Air New Zealand Cup campaign.
"It's probably better for me in the long run to rest up and play better for Otago."
Donnelly was happy with his form in Super 14.
"But there are still parts of my game that I need to work on," he said.
"We finished really well and it made the season a lot better than it could have been."
Keeping up a high work rate will be the big focus for Donnelly as he seeks to improve his game.
"I have to keep active, keep doing things, and help our team to function as efficiently as it can," he said.
Donnelly had a high work rate for the Blue team at the Otago trials at Balclutha this week.
"If you stood around too much you would get cold with the snow coming down," he quipped.
"I just tried to keep my work rate up and keep moving."
Donnelly recalled another occasion when the weather conditions were just as cold as those at Balclutha on Tuesday.
"Early in my career in Dunedin we played against Pirates at Hancock Park. Simon Maling and John Blaikie were in the team and I sat on the bench," he said.
"It was colder than it was today [Tuesday]."
