Report: McKenzie signs with Japanese club, will miss 2022 Super Rugby
All Blacks and Chiefs star Damian McKenzie has reportedly signed a deal with Japanese club Tokyo Sungoliath that will see him miss the 2022 Super Rugby season.
According to a report from the New Zealand Herald, McKenzie, who is coming off-contract with New Zealand Rugby [NZR] at the end of this year, has signed a five-month deal with the 2021 Top League runners-up.
The reported deal will see McKenzie link up with the Japanese juggernauts, who have re-branded from the Suntory Sungoliath as part of the revamped Japan Rugby League One competition, after the All Blacks’ end-of-year tour.
In doing so, the 26-year-old joins a growing contingent of foreign stars set to play in the new, fully-professional club competition in Japan next year.
Among the many new signings for the inaugural Japan Rugby League One season includes controversial former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau and McKenzie’s All Blacks teammate Patrick Tuipulotu.
McKenzie’s salary at Tokyo Sungoliath remains unknown, but the club have been known to splash the cash in recent times after they paid All Blacks star Beauden Barrett a reported $1.5 million for his sabbatical deal this year.
Barrett proved to be a pivotal figure for the Sungoliath in their run to the Top League final, where they fell short against the Panasonic Wild Knights, coached by ex-Wallabies and Crusaders boss Robbie Deans, in a 31-26 defeat three months ago.
As a playmaker of similar stature to Barrett who is also capable of playing first-five and fullback, McKenzie looms as a like-for-like replacement for the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year.
The Herald reports that, at this stage, McKenzie is yet to sign a contract with NZR that will see him return to New Zealand following his spell in Japan.
It is reportedly for that reason that an official announcement is yet to be made by any of the involved parties.
A new contract with NZR could also open the door for McKenzie to change of Super Rugby franchises beyond 2022, although the Chiefs would remain frontrunners to keep their star man on their books.
In addition to his 95 appearances for the Waikato franchise, McKenzie also owns a house in Hamilton, but a deal is still yet to be reached about a return to the Chiefs.
McKenzie has played 31 tests for the All Blacks since 2016 and will start at fullback for New Zealand in their second Bledisloe Cup clash against the Wallabies at Eden Park in Auckland this Saturday.
Comments on RugbyPass
End to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to comments