‘Didn’t expect it’: Damian McKenzie excited for ‘first crack’ at 10 jersey
Playmaker Damian McKenzie has won the race to start in the No. 10 jersey against Los Pumas, and it’s an opportunity the 40-Test All Black described as an “exciting challenge.”
McKenzie was seen training at flyhalf during an on-field session at Marista Rugby Club in the south of Mendoza on Tuesday, while Beauden Barrett was running around at fullback.
The talented duo will start in those roles this weekend, with the All Blacks confirming their first team of 2023 in the early hours of Friday morning in New Zealand.
McKenzie will link up with legendary halfback Aaron Smith in the halves, while Crusaders pivot Richie Mo’unga will look to provide some impact off the bench late in the contest.
With three world-class options to choose from at first five, McKenzie has been given the first opportunity to start in the famous No. 10 jersey.
Only time will tell as to whether or not Barrett and Mo’unga get their chance during The Rugby Championship – although it seems quite likely, especially for Mo’unga.
Speaking during a press conference at the team hotel on Friday evening, McKenzie admitted that he “didn’t expect” to beat his two teammates to the starting role for this Test.
“It’s exciting,” McKenzie said. “Obviously stoked and probably didn’t expect it at first. Obviously, we’ve got Rich (Mo’unga) and Baz (Beauden Barrett) who had a great year.
Team to take on Argentina in Mendoza 🫡 pic.twitter.com/bihFPDrDIm
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 6, 2023
“Had a bit of game time this year with the Chiefs so to get that opportunity is great.
“Looking forward to, it’s exciting being over here in Argentina too and it’s going to be an exciting challenge getting in that 10 jersey.”
McKenzie was nothing short of sensational with the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific this season, and so nearly helped guide the Hamilton-based franchise to glory.
While the fairytale finish to the season wasn’t meant to be for the Chiefs, it was still “a good year” for their star pivot.
“Being given that opportunity, we’ve still got Richie (and) Baz playing good rugby so I wouldn’t say the jersey is mind whatsoever but it is an opportunity,” he added.
“For me it’s just about playing my game. Obviously, we’ve got a game plan but you just want to be yourself, be instinctive, and play the rugby that I tried to play all year.
“That’ll be what I try to do on Saturday, just do my job, and like I said it’s an opportunity so I’ll try to make the most of that.”
McKenzie also spoke quite openly about the lessons he’s learned during his 40-Test career in black, as he reflected on how he’s “probably matured” as a flyhalf.
With the No. 10 on his back, and with the All Blacks looking to the 28-year-old to steer them around the park, McKenzie seemed both humble and confident ahead of Saturday’s Test.
“Probably since my first crack a few years back now, my game has probably matured a little more than what it has been in the past.
“Probably used to run myself into trouble a bit and put the team under a bit of pressure.
“I’ve learned that kicking is a big part of being a playmaker and having that experience this year with the Chiefs as well has been great.
“(My) Game has probably matured a lot more than what it has been in the past.”
Not too long ago, the All Blacks appeared somewhat unbeatable against Los Pumas.
The men in black survived some scares – that’s for sure – but made winning a habit over a long period. But eventually, all good things must come to an end.
As All Blacks fans will remember, they were shocked when Los Pumas beat New Zealand in Sydney a few years ago.
Then, just last year, the Pumas upset the All Blacks again – but this time on New Zealand soil.
It’s a completely different ball game compared to what it used to be. Los Pumas are the real deal, and the All Blacks are expecting a tough contest.
“They’re a quality team,” Foster said. “They’ve been developing their game and they’ve got a great desire to attack.
“If you don’t really commit in terms of your defensive line then you struggle with them.
“We know that they’re really willing around the breakdown and that’s kind of where the battle often is against Argentina.
“We’re aware of that and respectful of that because we’ve learned the lessons.”
The All Blacks versus Los Pumas clash in Mendoza is set to get underway at 7.10 am NZST on Sunday morning.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
3 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
3 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
237 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
30 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
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