Damian McKenzie prepares for positional switch
Damian McKenzie is set to spend the next six months playing in Japan’s new League One competition before returning to New Zealand ahead of next year’s test season.
While he won’t immediately be eligible for the All Blacks – as was the case with TJ Perenara this year – a return to the national fold is very much in the plans for the 26-year-old, but it might not be in the No 15 jersey.
McKenzie has shifted between fullback and first five-eighth since he made his professional debut in 2014 but it’s in the former where he really made a name for himself.
From counter-attack and kick-returns, there’s perhaps no better player in the world at finding and exploiting gaps in unstructured defensive lines and McKenzie in full flight, setting up dazzling tries in a Chiefs jersey, has been a common sight over the past six years.
While McKenzie has even been the first-choice fullback for the All Blacks at various stages over the past few years, his semi-permanent position at the back has never lasted too long.
This year, McKenzie was handed the No 15 jersey to kick off the season but come the middle of the All Blacks’ test campaign, Jordie Barrett had well and truly taken hold of the role.
Now, it appears that McKenzie may be eyeing up a more permanent move to No 10, the position where he played his schoolboy rugby.
“I’ve sort of mixed and matched a little bit,” said McKenzie on the latest episode of James Marshall’s What a Lad podcast. “15, I enjoy the freedom of just doing your own thing, which is fun, but I do really enjoy 10 as well because you’re obviously in a bit more control and a bit more in the driver’s seat than you would be at 15. You get more touches on the ball.
“I’d say, moving forward, 10’s the position I want to try and focus on.”
Although McKenzie has dabbled at first five at various times since he first debuted for the Chiefs in the position in 2016, he was primarily used there as a stopgap measure until 2018, when Aaron Cruden departed the Chiefs and new coach Colin Cooper entrusted McKenzie with the reins.
All Blacks star Damian McKenzie has opened up about his decision to leave New Zealand and pursue a deal with Japanese club Tokyo Sungoliath. #AllBlacks #TokyoSungoliath #JapanRugbyLeagueOne https://t.co/GfApzfcxJF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 1, 2021
McKenzie’s effectiveness was dampened with less space, however, and he was shifted back to fullback the following year before an ACL injury prematurely ended his season. The experiment wasn’t revised until this season, with Clayton McMillan giving McKenzie plenty of opportunities at No 10 throughout the Super Rugby campaign, and the now more experienced playmaker flourished in the role.
While McKenzie won’t be with the Chiefs in 2022, instead spending the season representing Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan, he’s expecting to primarily remain playing at No 10 – where Beauden Barrett was enlisted by the Sungoliath this year.
“I think it’s a position I’ll be playing over here in Japan, which will be good fun,” he said.
Although McKenzie has typically suggested that he has favoured the fullback role in the past, Jordie Barrett’s locking down of the position for the All Blacks could have influenced have change of heart. Of course, the pathway to playing No 10 isn’t exactly a free run either, with Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga sharing the jersey this year.
“There’s plenty of good 10s around as well,” McKenzie acknowledged. “Two blokes, Beaudy and Richie, they’re top at the moment. They’re good to learn from but tough to get past at the moment.”
The League One season kicks off in early January which means that while the rest of McKenzie’s All Blacks teammates are enjoying a break away from rugby over the New Zealand summer, he’ll be springing into pre-season action as soon he’s free from his two-week hotel quarantine in Japan.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments