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Debate about McKenzie's best position appears to be over

By Josh Raisey
Damian McKenzie. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

The Chiefs have a lot to be happy about at the moment after they snapped their losing streak and drew 23-23 with the Hurricanes on Friday. Of course, it was not a win, but it was a step in the right direction, particularly against a team that are in good form.

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Colin Cooper’s men were yet to win in Super Rugby this year after four matches, and changes were therefore needed going into the clash in Hamilton.

One particular change that paid off handsomely, and has pleased many fans on Twitter, was moving Damian McKenzie back to fullback. After missing the first game of the season, the All Black had started the past three games at fly-half with not a huge amount of success.

The 23-year-old had come under some criticism after his performance, as he was deprived of the space to show what he can do with ball in hand. His positional change allowed him to join the line further out wide, giving him more space and making him much more threatening. His try in the first half showed why he must play at fullback, as he was able to support Tumua Manu after his break, and race in for a brilliant finish.

He ended the match with 18 points overall, including an enormous penalty to tie the contest. In light of his performance, a lot of fans are celebrating McKenzie’s return to form:

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This will be pleasing to see for All Blacks and Chiefs fans, as there is really no debate in which position is McKenzie’s best. He’s never really been considered as a 10 to Steve Hansen, particularly with the likes of Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga ahead of him, and has always been utilised as a fullback when playing in black.

McKenzie is one of the Chiefs’ best players, and it makes sense that he should be playing in the position where he is most dangerous, and he proved that against the Hurricanes.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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