'Bryn played better': How the Chiefs decided on their playmaking combo for their grand final showdown with the Crusaders
The last time that the Chiefs played the Crusaders, coach Clayton McMillan made the somewhat surprising call to start pocket-rocket Damian McKenize at first five-eighth.
On the back of some excellent shifts in that role in the latter stages of matches, McMillan decided that regular fullback McKenzie was the man to guide the Chiefs around the park right from the get-go, and the All Blacks utility helped the Chiefs fight out a narrow 26-25 victory in Hamilton.
McKenzie was returned to his customary No 15 jersey in the subsequent match, however, with Bryn Gatland elevated from the bench to start at first five. That’s a combination that’s now been retained for the ultimate match of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season against the Crusaders in Christchurch, despite the success the Chiefs had last time they faced up to the Crusaders with McKenzie at 10.
It’s the same horses for courses approach that the interim coach has taken throughout the year, with McMillan suggesting that the Crusaders of now are not the same team they were earlier in the season, while the wintery conditions in Christchurch will also force a shift in tactics from the Chiefs.
“There’s pros and cons, isn’t there?” McMillan said of the shift. “He’s going to do a great job wherever we put him. He’s proved that.
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“We’re just anticipating that down in Christchurch it’s a little bit more in the winter months now. It’ll be dewy, it’ll be cold. Potential for rain. So the tactical battle is going to be really important. Having both Bryn and Damo there, I think serves us well in that regard.
“Equally I think that the Crusaders are going to kick a lot more than what they have. We saw them sort of transition to that against the Blues last week and Damo’s by far and away the best man under the ball. Really composed and brave so there’s a little bit of that in the selection as well.
“We’re playing slightly different. They’re playing slightly different.”
While it’s not a huge surprise to see McKenzie wearing his favoured No 15 jersey, Gatland’s return to the first five role late in the season may have raised a few eyebrows.
After confident displays in the opening two matches of the season – but two matches that saw the Chiefs’ extend their ongoing losing streak – Gatland was dropped in favour of Bay of Plenty 22-year-old Kaleb Trask.
"You want to get stuck in but it’s in a respectful way. You’re just trying to get in there – and you have to, because they’re a bloody good side and they’ve been that way for so long now."@LiamMessam's latest column for @TheXV. #CRUvCHIhttps://t.co/JzIYaJh1bQ
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) May 7, 2021
Trask took a knock partway through the campaign, however, and after three runs at No 10 on the trot, his only action since the Chiefs’ win over the Highlanders in Round 7 came in last weekend’s dead-rubber game against the Blues.
Trask played at fullback in that fixture and while McMillan suggested that he had the opportunity to force his way back into the team for the final, he didn’t do enough to warrant selection ahead of Gatland or Chase Tiatia in the matchday 23.
“We were looking hard at Kaleb last week in the Blues game,” McMillan said. “It was his opportunity to sort of put his foot best foot forward as a fullback to see what that looked like.
“He had some good moments and some not so good ones and Bryn played better. That’s one of the reasons why he missed out this week.
“He’s a young man, he’s going to get plenty more opportunities moving forward. He’s accepted the reasons why he’s not playing and he’s been outstanding in helping prepare the other two as best as he can this week.”
With Tiatia likely to take over at fullback at some stage during the second half of Saturday’s match, McKenzie will almost certainly slot in at first receiver.
If the Chiefs are to have any chance of securing a victory over the home team, who have not lost a playoff match in Christchurch in 24 fixtures, Gatland and McKenzie will both need to be in top form.
Perhaps that will mean McKenzie needs to step up in the dying moments of the game, as he has on multiple occasions already this year, and slot the winning points.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments