'The best I've seen him play': How McKenzie stole the show vs Crusaders
All Blacks greats Israel Dagg and Justin Marshall have praised Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie for his scintillating performance in the No. 10 jersey on Friday.
If the history books are anything to go by, then one truth remains consistent in Super Rugby year-to-year.
Without a doubt, the hardest place to win is Christchurch; the home of the champion Crusaders.
After six Super Rugby titles in as many years, Scott Robertson and co entered the new campaign as the heavy favourites. The Crusaders seem to thrive on the pressure and expectation that continues to weigh on their shoulders – it doesn’t bother them, usually.
But led by star flyhalf Damian McKenzie, who has returned to New Zealand following a stint in Japan, the Chiefs shocked the world as they ran rampant against the Crusaders.
McKenzie was at his best at Orangetheory Stadium in round one as the visitors scored 24 unanswered points, and registered an incredible 31-10 win to open their account for the season.
Rugby World Cup winning All Black Israel Dagg believes McKenzie “absolutely nailed” his role on Friday night.
“All the eyes were on Damian McKenzie and seeing how he could take to that 10 position and I thought he absolutely nailed it and potentially outplayed Richie Mo’unga,” Dagg told SENZ Breakfast.
“I thought Damian showed great signs going forward to the future that it more than capable of taking that 10 jersey.”
McKenzie, who has played 40 Test matches for the All Blacks, took his game to an all-new level on Friday night.
From the opening couple of minutes where he showcased his kicking game, the 27-year-old had fans and commentators in awe.
The utility back finished with an 11-point haul – which was of course one point more than the Crusaders’ total.
Former All Blacks scrumhalf Justin Marshall also sang McKenzie’s praises on SENZ, saying it wa s probably “the best I’ve seen him play in that jersey.”
“I think (that was) probably the best I’ve seen him play in that jersey in a big match,” Marshall told SENZ’s The Rugby Run.
“Obviously he can open games up regardless when he’s in that jersey but when it comes to big crunch matches against very good opposition and good defensive sides, that’s when your true metal is tested.
“His kicking strategy was really good; when he needed to sit back a bit and find space he did, when he needed to kick long he kicked long well, when he needed it to be competitive in the air he did that as well.
“He was getting outside the fourth or fifth defender of the Crusaders quite comfortably and opening up the field.
“That’s what he’s so very good at, so the Chiefs’ pattern very much revolved around that.”
After opening their regular season with a stunning victory, the Chiefs will look to keep the good times rolling as they prepare to face Moana Pasifika in Melbourne.
Super Rugby heads across the ditch for Super Round, with all 12 teams set to take the field across three days.
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments