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‘It’s Richie’s turn’: Why Damian McKenzie missed out on All Blacks selection
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has explained the somewhat surprising decision to leave Damian McKenzie out of the matchday squad to take on fierce rivals South Africa in Auckland on Saturday.
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If you’re reading this article and you love this sport, chances are you’ve heard the saying ‘a week is a long time in Test rugby.’
When the All Blacks named their first side of 2023 to take on Los Pumas in Mendoza about a week ago, McKenzie had won the race to start in the No. 10 jersey ahead of Richie Mo’unga.
McKenzie was visibly excited in the leadup to the Test after being given the “first crack” at the famous jersey, while Beauden Barrett was named to start at fullback.
Following a shaky start at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, which saw Pablo Matera charge down a McKenzie kick after about 20 seconds, the playmaker sprung into form.
McKenzie finished with three try assists in perfect conditions. The flyhalf had a mixed night off the kicking tee though, which was a minor blemish on an otherwise promising display.
But now, ahead of the All Blacks’ highly anticipated clash with world champions South Africa, McKenzie has been left out of the matchday side altogether.
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Crusaders pivot Richie Mo’unga will start in the No. 10 jersey, while Beauden Barrett has retained his spot out the back.
“We looked at both 10s, both Richie and Damian. Pretty excited with their form at the end of the Super season,” coach Ian Foster told reporters on Thursday.
“Really pleased with Damian. I think we stated why we started Damian last week, that was a chance to get him in there, he’s been out for a long time, out of our squad so it’s a chance for him to go and play.
“Really enjoyed his game… it also gave Richie a chance to have a little bit of a breather. They’ve both had big minutes in Super Rugby, amongst the highest out of all our backs.
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“Now it’s Richie’s turn.”
McKenzie may have made a statement last weekend, but the All Blacks couldn’t fit him in their team to play the Springboks at all.
There wasn’t even room on the bench for the 41-Test All Black.
Utility Braydon Ennor has been named in the No. 22 jersey, and Caleb Clarke will also look to provide impact against a tiring Boks outfit. The All Blacks have gone with a 5-3 split.
“If you look at what Damian did in Super Rugby, he was one of the highest backs (for) minutes in Super Rugby, so we see this as a chance to give him a little bit of a breather,” Foster added.
“Certainly not based on anything else.”
The All Blacks take on the Springboks at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday at 7.05 pm NZST. Following that Test, the Wallabies host Los Pumas in Sydney.
Comments on RugbyPass
The Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
2 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
2 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.
2 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.
2 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 commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to commentsSurprised that Ramos isn't starting at 15. But what a squad of galacticos!
2 Go to commentsWhy is it a snub? What journalistic garbage is that? Sure the guy is a great player, but there are plenty of loose forwards and not all of them can be Springboks. Also, I know of no-one who doubts Rassie’s judgment. South Africa has a conveyor belt of loose forwards that just keeps producing, so the competition is intense. I certainly wish him well, but there is no entitlement and there is no snub.
17 Go to commentsSkelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
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