Debate about McKenzie's best position appears to be over
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.
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:
Damian McKenzie showing he’s a 15 and not a 10 #CHIvHUR
— Liam Harris (@LiamHarris10) March 15, 2019
It’s actually crazy to think how much better the Chiefs are when Damian McKenzie plays fullback. Transforms the entire team ????
— Brandon Lee Portnoy (@BrandoPortnoy) March 15, 2019
Damian McKenzie back at fullback ??#CHIvHUR
— Ian (Jefe) (@WuodAdhiambo_) March 15, 2019
Chiefs looking back to their old form, Damian Mckenzie looks much better at fullback.#hurricanesvschiefs #superrugby
— Allen Stroebel (@AllenStroebel) March 15, 2019
Damien McKenzie must remain at fullback!
— Mbuyiseli (@Lwazi_Somya) March 15, 2019
Amazing what can happen when you have McKenzie at Fullback. How fucking stupid are the coaching staff to have him in flyhalf for so fucking long!!!! #CHIvHUR
— Quadzilla (@76erscuts) March 15, 2019
McKenzie very dangerous from the back. Fullback is his best position.
— Kobus (@BulletjieKobus) March 15, 2019
Damian McKenzie at fullback ??
— Athi (@aahhtee) March 15, 2019
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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Comments on RugbyPass
I wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
4 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf 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.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
4 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to comments