Watch: When Damian McKenzie tore the French apart Kiwi Boomers had to admit he was the real deal at 10
For a long time, Damian McKenzie was simply one of the best players in Super Rugby, frequently in the top five of all the attacking stats for the Chiefs as a fullback.
In 2018, the Chiefs started making McKenzie’s transition to flyhalf at Super Rugby level after Aaron Cruden’s departure, back to the position he played as a New Zealand schoolboy representative.
McKenzie’s razzle-dazzle style of play was deemed too ‘high risk’ by many older purists of the game, who lambasted his mistakes and opportunistic instincts.
The last 10 minutes of rugby explains why Damian McKenzie should never be the first choice All Blacks number 10. For all his brilliance he makes more mistakes than any other player in the competition.
— OURTEAROA (@OURTEAROA) March 30, 2018
*Grumbles* runs a bit lateral
— Bear Bad Man (@Bear_Bad_Man_) March 30, 2018
I’m not a Damian McKenzie fan. You can stone me later #NZLvFRA
— Lainey ? (@NZLainey) June 23, 2018
In the first test against France in the June series, Damian McKenzie came off the bench in a whirlwind cameo performance, lighting up Eden Park with crazy numbers.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_MBoGFAbk-
However, the performance only cemented the view by some that he should be used as an impact player.
Heading into the second test, an early injury to Beauden Barrett forced McKenzie to play nearly the full match at first-five eighth, giving fans the chance to see what he could offer.
Even though the All Blacks won 26-13, many were unconvinced as they had played against a 14-man French side when McKenzie arrived on the field.
Well on this display I wouldn't be starting Damian McKenzie at No.10. #NZLvFRA
— Russell Brown (@publicaddress) June 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/brandonbydesign/status/1007903695168851968
Heading into the third test in Dunedin, close to McKenzie’s home town of Invercargill, the Chiefs playmaker was handed his first start in the 10 jersey even though there were other calls for Richie Mo’unga.
It's a no-brainer for All Blacks at No 10. Mo'unga starts as he's seen as the best run-on option after Barrett. McKenzie stays in impact role where they want to grow him.
— Marc Hinton (@marchintonnz) June 17, 2018
The older generation was about to be silenced by the 22-year-old Damian McKenzie.
The pocket rocket guided New Zealand to a mammoth 49-14 win as McKenzie scored two tries and set up two more in a virtuoso performance that illustrated the poise, accuracy, and decision-making to run the cutter for the All Blacks.
The performance tipped many off the fence into the ‘McKenzie at 10’ bucket, with one Boomer even retracting all previous negative statements made.
Smashing game from McKenzie. The All Blacks have 2 proper 10's.#NZLvsFRA
— Richard Thomas (@DRAG0NBL00DED) June 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/mjwdonaldson/status/1010454581912920064
Let’s hope Damien’s critics back off now after that great performance last night, well played Damien ???
— Suzanne Clark (@SuzymaySuzanne) June 23, 2018
2018 Super Rugby Season. Damian Mckenzie >>>>> Beaudan Barret. Dont holla at me!
— ???????: ???? & ????? (@aratjiriange) July 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/Options____/status/1010443492458467328
https://twitter.com/gibby_craig/status/1007909930769240064
Is that Damian McKenzie or Danny Cipriani with those lightning-quick hands?? Both of them with huge playmaking opportunities today: what are your predictions for #RSAvENG? Could this be the blueprint for @EnglandRugby? @SkySports @ 3pm… pic.twitter.com/8PUe0HGAZb
— Will Greenwood (@WillGreenwood) June 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/Jbeardmore/status/1010443368122417152
It was a defining moment in McKenzie’s short career but unfortunately, an ACL injury would cut short his 2019 season and rob fans of seeing one of the world’s best talents at the Rugby World Cup.
Comments on RugbyPass
Big difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
1 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
30 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to comments