Damian McKenzie unpacks why the All Blacks are beginning to fire

All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie has identified the factors that are leading Dave Rennie’s side back on the winning track after an energy-sapping tour to South Africa.

Rennie’s All Blacks bounced back with two impressive and convincing victories over Les Kiss’ Wallabies in the past two weeks, retaining the Bledisloe Cup for the 24th consecutive season.

The All Blacks secured a 31-point win at Eden Park just over a week ago, before putting on an attacking clinic in the first half against the Wallabies, running in six tries to one.

The Wallabies struggled to contain the All Blacks’ lightning-quick ruck speed at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, which allowed McKenzie and the likes of Beauden Barrett to get on top of the Wallabies.

Speaking to Millsy & Guy on Sport Nation NZ, McKenzie outlined a couple of key factors behind the two wins over their across-the-ditch rivals.

“I think we talked a lot this year around like the optimism the teams were willing to play with, and we’re a real run first mentality, and that’s just the rugby we love playing, and so I guess looking for opportunities that will come.

“There were times where we were hard up on defence for long periods, they turned the ball over, and we’re looking for an opportunity to run, so yeah, that’s the sort of game style obviously I enjoy playing.

“It is really important that you do get the balance right, and we had a good couple of weeks, and we know we’re going on the Northern Tour where it’s a bit colder, might be a bit wetter, so that balance is going to be really important.

“But as I said, when your forward pack is giving you really good go forward as a team, you’re always moving onto the ball. That makes your job a whole lot easier, so things seem to open up a bit more, and we’re able to create a lot of opportunities in the last couple of weeks, which is exciting moving forward.”

McKenzie’s combination with Barrett in the backfield gained a lot of the headlines, but the Chiefs first-five explained how he was just happy for his playmaking partner, who has been heavily criticised in recent months.

“I think in the past I’ve played a lot of rugby with Beauden, probably the other way around, myself at 15 and Beaudie at 10. So we kind of know each other’s games really well,” McKenzie said on Sport Nation.

“I’ve talked about our forward pack giving us front foot ball, and when you got experienced guys like Beauden out there, he helps me out as a game driver as well.

“We sort of play that dual playmaker role, which I think worked really well over the last two Tests. And you only need to look at the last two games Beauden’s played, having his experience and just his world-class ability to be able to finish and giving me communications at No.10, that makes my job a whole lot easier.

“So I was really stoked for Baz [Beauden] in the last two test matches; he has, and is just showing everyone the footballer he is; he’s world–class. So it’s great to be able to be back playing with him.”

Despite claiming back-to-back victories over the Wallabies, McKenzie feels as though the Wallabies will be a force to be reckoned with at their home Rugby World Cup in 2027.

“They are a really good side. I think they’ll be a little bit disappointed in the last couple of weeks, but you only need to see how the years gone, and obviously beating South Africa as well.

“And they’ve still got, like, a young enough side where they’ve got some exciting young players coming through, and they’re building some really good continuity. Particularly the home World Cup next year for them, they’re going to be tough.

“It’s going to be a good Test [Next year’s RWC clash] . So no, I think that if you are an Australian and a Wallabies rugby fan, you’ve definitely got an exciting team fronting it for sure.”