McKenzie in doubt for Hurricanes clash

Chiefs star Damian McKenzie could miss his side’s heavyweight clash against the Hurricanes this weekend.

The 22-year-old left last week’s 21-19 victory over the Blues after roughly 30 minutes of action, and was replaced by his older brother Marty.

After initially dismissing the injury as not serious post-match, Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper told reporters before the team’s Monday training session that McKenzie is “a work in progress,” and said that if he didn’t play this weekend, he would definitely appear next weekend against the Reds.

Fairfax reported that McKenzie was inactive at Monday’s training session, applying ice to his hip on the sideline.

Missing Friday night’s game would snap McKenzie’s streak of 48 straight appearances, and put the Chiefs’ five-game winning streak in serious danger.

McKenzie, a 12-cap All Black and back-to-back SANZAAR Super Rugby Player of the Season, currently ranks second in the competition in clean breaks, third in defenders beaten and third in points scored.

Head coach Cooper also shed light on the condition of All Blacks prop Kane Hames, who has been out with a ‘mystery illness’ all season.

Cooper confirmed that Hames’ ‘illness’ was concussion symptoms, and that he would work his way through the protocol before making a return.

He also noted that co-captain Charlie Ngatai (hamstring) and Brad Weber (wrist) would hopefully return to the side within the next two fixtures.

You may also enjoy: