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Why it would be dangerous to select Damian McKenzie ahead of Jordie Barrett for the All Blacks

By Campbell Burnes
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Selection headaches loom for Ian Foster.

Those under consideration for the fullback role when Wales hit these shores are: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Damian McKenzie and David Havili. Much will depend on whether Foster uses the older Barrett as a No 10, where he will play for the Blues, or whether he will revert to the 2019 experiment, which worked quite well, of having Richie Mo’unga running the cutter at first five, while Barrett can cut some shapes from the back.

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If we take it that the impressive Crusader Havili will only make the cut if there are injuries, then either Damian McKenzie or Barrett the Younger will be the unlucky man in an All Blacks match-day squad.

Continue reading below…

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I’m a fan of both Jordie Barrett and McKenzie and the latter would likely have made the 2019 Rugby World Cup squad were it not for his untimely knee injury. He made a pleasing return to action for the Chiefs against the Crusaders last weekend, playing the full game, giving the last pass for Solomon Alaimalo’s try, putting on the razzle with a (slightly unnecessary but aesthetically sweet) reverse pass, and tackling gamely.

So, given a few matches to get up to full speed, McKenzie will be a lock for the All Blacks? Surely? Not so fast.

The next day I watched Jordie Barrett land a monster of a penalty goal of at least 63m for the Hurricanes against the Jaguares. The ball cleared the crossbar by a good 10m and sailed over the in-goal on the full.

My first thought was to jump on Google to check on Buenos Aires’ altitude. 25m, not quite the 1339m of Pretoria’s Loftus. That was just a mighty strike from a well-built kicker.

My second thought was that in the 2009 Tri Nation test match in Hamilton (altitude: not high), Francois Steyn landed three bombs from 59m, 57m and 52m to help sink the All Blacks as part of the greatest display of goalkicking (along with Dan Carter) I have seen in a big match.

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My third thought was that Jordie Barrett’s strike belongs in good company with men like Don Clarke, Pierre Villepreux, Paul Thorburn and Steyn himself.

McKenzie is a fine goalkicker himself, but 63m is well outside his range.

Then I thought about how it would be nigh on impossible, or just downright dangerous, to leave Jordie Barrett out of an All Blacks squad. In 2019, he started for the All Blacks in three different positions, in eight tests, though none in his preferred fullback slot, even showing he can do a job at first five. In effect, he could play test rugby in no less than six backline positions, not including halfback. Find me a versatile back anywhere in the planet who can do that.

Hurricanes coach Jason Holland has flagged that Barrett will be mainly used at fullback by his franchise and will take the lion’s share of the kicks. Why wouldn’t he?

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McKenzie can play in two positions, both of them very well. He is a firecracker of a footballer, but you cannot carry all four of himself, B Barrett, J Barrett and Mo’unga in a match-day squad of 23. Not when a critical penalty goal on the All Blacks’ side of halfway may be required.

Sorry, D Mac fans, that could be the reality he is facing in about four months.

In other news:

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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