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Damian McKenzie coy on future plans amid Top League rumours
All Blacks star Damian McKenzie has remained coy on talk of a move to Japan amid rumours of a potential sabbatical in the Top League.
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McKenzie fronted media at the All Blacks’ hotel a day after they arrived in Dunedin ahead of their clash against Fiji at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday and was tight-lipped about where his future lies next season.
“I’ve got no update on that at the moment,” McKenzie said. “I’m still working through that stuff. For me, I’m solely focused on this series and moving forward for the rest of the year.”
He added: “I’ve got no update on it. I’m still working through it, whether it’s here or elsewhere.”
Reports first emerged last month that the 26-year-old playmaker was considering a sabbatical move to Japan on a deal similar to the ones used by McKenzie’s All Blacks teammates Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick and TJ Perenara this year.
With McKenzie’s current three-year deal with New Zealand Rugby [NZR] set to expire this year, a sabbatical clause could be included in his next contract with the governing body.
Such a move would come as the Top League looks to revamp itself to become a fully professional, three-tiered competition whereby clubs will have large sums of money to attract the game’s best talent.
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That much has been reflected as recently as Monday, with NTT Communications Shining Arcs confirming that controversial former Wallabies star Israel Folau has signed with the club ahead of the 2022 season.
Losing McKenzie, regardless of whether it is on sabbatical or a permanent deal, would be a hefty loss for NZR, though, given the 28-test veteran is beginning to develop into a world-class prospect.
After starring for the Chiefs throughout the Super Rugby season, where he almost single-handedly guided them to the Super Rugby Aotearoa final, McKenzie shone for the All Blacks in Saturday’s 102-0 thumping of Tonga in Auckland.
Although he started at fullback, McKenzie flitted between the backfield and as a first receiver as he made numerous fine touches to end the match with an impressive three try assists and a try of his own.
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While the sub-standard quality of opposition may have made it easy for McKenzie to flourish at Mt Smart Stadium, All Blacks head coach Ian Foster made note of his star man’s impact shortly after the match.
Controversial ex-Wallabies star Israel Folau is set to return to rugby union after signing with Japanese club NTT Communications Shining Arcs.https://t.co/abKKpl4tan
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 5, 2021
“I was actually quite pleased with Damian. He looked calm. I think in the last few months his decision making at the back’s been really accurate,” Foster said.
“He’s gone from being the guy that just did the dazzling runs and getting some wrong to now he’s distributing, he’s kicking well, he’s come in and gives us that two-sided attack that we love to have. I thought he should be pretty happy with what he did.”
With fellow star Jordie Barrett also vying for the fullback spot in the All Blacks starting lineup, many are expecting a tantalising clash between McKenzie and Barrett over the coming weeks.
In order to keep his place in the No. 15 jersey, McKenzie is looking to continue to build his playmaking skills from two of the best in the business in the form of Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett.
“It’s been great to lean off them and obviously that dual playmaker role has probably been a bit of a focus for us,” McKenzie said.
“Whether it’s No. 10 or No. 15, they have similar skill sets. I’m happy just to keep pushing Beaudy and Richie and learning off them too.
“I enjoy it [dual playmakers]. I’ve played a little bit at No 10 and No 15 this year. Being able to jump into first receiver when I can is great. The coaches give you a licence to be free around that.”
With both Foster and All Blacks defence coach Scott McLeod indicating everybody within the squad will get an opportunity throughout this test window, it remains unclear whether McKenzie will be reinstated in the match day side against Fiji.
That will become clear on Thursday, though, when Foster names his side for the second test of the 2021 campaign.
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
37 Go to comments