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'I don't get quite as hot-headed as I used to': A wiser Damian McKenzie returns to the All Blacks after his clutch form for the Chiefs
The Chiefs’ resurgent season in 2021, which saw them make the Super Rugby Aotearoa final, has seen a number of their players selected for the All Blacks, including a new face in young midfielder Quinn Tupaea.
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Damian McKenzie, who played an integral role for the Chiefs at first-five throughout the year, was happy to see his teammates rewarded for their form during the Super Rugby season.
For uncapped 22-year-old Tupaea, McKenzie sees him fitting in well after impressing with his attitude and commitment at the Chiefs, highlighting his work ethic as a key reason why he’s in the squad.
“Stoked for Quinn and all the other new boys tonight,” McKenzie told media at the All Blacks announcement.
“It goes to show how hard he’s been working around training. I’ve had a lot to do with Quinn and he’s a great young talent.
“I think he’s down with the Maori All Blacks at the moment, they had them all in a room watching [the announcement]. I’m sure he will fit in really well around the midfield there.”
Luke Jacobson was another Chiefs player to earn selection as returns to the All Black fold after being a late scratching from the World Cup two years ago due to concussion.
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Jacobson was in standout form with the Chiefs this year and was one of the best loose forwards in both the Aotearoa and Trans-Tasman competitions.
McKenzie said he “thoroughly deserves” being back in the All Blacks after training the “house down” to get back.
“For Luke, unfortunately he got pulled out of the squad late with his head issues, I think he had a bit of time to rest and get that right,” McKenzie said.
“He’s come back in great form as you’ve seen throughout the year. He’s a guy who works the house down. First at training, last to leave. He’s only young and he’s a leader of our team. He’s had a great season.
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“Awesome for him to be back in the squad, thoroughly deserves it. It’s very cool to see him back in the black jersey.”
For McKenzie himself, it has been over three years since he last played against the Springboks. Having ruptured his ACL part way through the 2019 Super Rugby season, the 26-year-old was absent from the Rugby Championship and World Cup that year.
McKenzie returned to the All Blacks in 2020, but with the South Africans pulling out of the competition last year, he was unable to play them. McKenzie is excited to see them back in the mix ahead of the 100th test between the two rugby nations.
“It’s sad we didn’t get to play them last year. They are a very unique team, very physical, an exciting team to play against,” he said.
“Obviously won’t get the opportunity to play them over there in South Africa, anytime you get a chance to play all the teams, to have them back will be great.”
The Chiefs were one of two Kiwi sides to lose to the Australian franchises, and although the Trans-Tasman results were rather lopsided, McKenzie isn’t expecting the Wallabies to be so easy.
“It was nice to be able to play the Aussies again,” he said.
“A bit of change of pace against them, but I think knowing what the Wallabies can do and under Dave Rennie, I think we can expect a great side.
“They are already into their work, so I don’t think you want to look at too many results from out of the Trans-Tasman tournament.
“I know they will put together a great side. There is some young talent that has played some great rugby through the Super Rugby season.
For McKenzie personally, he highlighted 2021 was a season that enabled him to mature as a player back at first-five for the Chiefs.
As cover for 10 and 15, he said he will be pushing for selection in both positions, putting his best foot forward in order to make the team.
“I enjoyed the change up actually, being able to play 10. Probably matured a bit as a player, I don’t get quite as hot-headed as I used to. That was something I needed to work on,” he explained.
“Obviously we’ve got some great 10s in Richie [Mo’unga] and Beaudy [Barrett] there and I’ll be doing my best to push them where I can.
“At fullback we’ve got some great players there as well, in Jordie [Barrett] and Will Jordan as well, it’s good competition.
“Hopefully will play a bit of 15 and if I’m needed at 10 late in the game, I’ll be excited to do that too.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Over 80% of the World Cup squad are over 30” No it isn’t lol
1 Go to commentsTyrel Lomax the best AB prop since Carl Hayman. Absolutely destroyed the Boks in RWC Final and is monstering allcomers in Super this season. Should be a monster battle vs touring Poms, always deliver a power pack.
1 Go to commentsEye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
43 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
43 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
43 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
13 Go to comments