Please, All Blacks selectors, be brave and select Damian McKenzie in the squad for the Rugby World Cup.
Yes, I know he faces opposition from Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett for the first-five role, but he must be in the squad for his ability to tear a game apart with sheer brilliance.
The dilemma is where to put him, which has been the constant throughout his career. He has spent just over 70 per cent of his matches at fullback with the balance at first-five eighth, but his form for the Chiefs this year suggests he is becoming more adept at his game management in the pivotal role. Could the selectors pull a shock, replace Barrett with McKenzie, who would accompany Mo’unga?
Barrett is heading for Japan next year and his form this year has not been up to his usual lofty standards, freeing up Stephen Perofeta to be selected in the utility role. If Barrett is selected then McKenzie must go in a utility role, starting or off the bench in the pool games against Namibia and Uruguay to see what sort of form he is in.
If his form is sublime then he must be in contention for the bigger games, which hopefully the All Blacks will be in!
Sir John Kirwan has told Breakdown that McKenzie brings an X-factor desperately needed in the national team. It will give McKenzie a taste of Rugby World Cup action in preparation for the next World Cup in 2027.
Damian McKenzie (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
Mo’unga is also heading for Japan so the All Blacks are going to need someone to drive the team. McKenzie is off contract at the end of 2023 so it might be a productive idea to get him signed up as soon as possible.
Maybe a plan will not work and the solution is to select him and then see how the cards play out, injuries and form influencing the outcome.
Damian Sinclair McKenzie was born 1995 in Invercargill and attended Christ’s College in Christchurch. He is of European and Maori descent with the Maori heritage from his mother Moana. As with many rugby players of a small build he had to be evasive and speed was a natural acquisition, combined with electric footwork, fast hands and game awareness.
In his early years he always played first five but moved to fullback for the New Zealand Under-20s in 2014. Two years later he made his Test debut against Argentina and his career became a mixture of off-the-bench appearances, limited game time and 39 matches for the All Blacks. He has also accumulated 887 points for the Chiefs and was the ninth player to play over 100 games after making his debut in 2015.
In 2023 McKenzie has been a standout for the Chiefs, helping them top the table with eight wins from eight. Interestingly, he does not feature in many of the statistics where you think he would: metres carried, defenders beaten and clean breaks. Is it a sign of a new maturity that he only tops the table with points scored?
A feature of the statistics so far is that New Zealand teams have defended in the 100s for points scored against, whereas the Australians are in the 200s, indicating the Australians may need to hire better defensive coaches? Anyway, I digress.
McKenzie has impressed Ian Foster with his maturity in decision-making. “The thing we’re excited about is his game management. In terms of form, he’s really putting his name up for us to think hard about how we see him,” Foster told Stuff.
McKenzie only has his sights set on guiding the Chiefs this year with higher honours being the bonus reward.
He can add goal-kicking to his repertoire with an economical style from a short run-up that can produce prodigious distances, with his 57-metre kick against Australia in 2021 an example. Of course, everyone by now is familiar with his “smiling assassin” face when he lines up his kick which is designed to create a positive mindset.
In the past his flamboyant style of play was deemed too high risk by critics with points scored negated by errors. Are those critics still of the same mind after watching him in 2023?
Damian McKenzie has built an impressive career so far but is he on the brink of going to the next level? Could he well be one of the stars at the 2023 RWC? Only time will tell, but it will be a magnificent sight if he does so.
It is all in the hands of the All Blacks selectors.
Fox
Roar Guru
Well we see who is right when the AB team is announced and I am willing to bet I am right.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
I use that to show the difference in standards. If he had played against teams that had test like defenses like they do in NH rugby then we would have mote to judge him on but the BaaBaas was the only ones. Marcus Smith looks great v Prem sides but once he comes up against the physical teams in Europe he is poor as he is in Test level. DMac didn’t even face one of the physical English teams like Sales, Exeter, Tigers or Sarries. We just need look at stormers no10 v SRP running style teams and the physical teams in the URC. Also can the ABs afford to have a kicker who is not 80+% every game.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
If Razor thought he was as good as people think he is due to SRP form he wouldn't have publicly said exceptions should be made for RM.
Fox
Roar Guru
If we are going to judge a player by one game that you seem to be stuck on then lets look at Mounga's worst performance and BB and hey why not Dan Carters...Every player has games they would prefer to forget but seems DMac has learned plenty IMO from his.
Cec
Roar Rookie
As initially stated, off the bench for DMck. You can do your own research to your questions on starts & positions etc. I think he had the flu in that Prem game :laughing: Perhaps ask Razor rather than assuming & making krap up :silly: From your comments, which is fine it’s just your opinion, you’re second guessing the test coaches he’s played for and the selectors who’ve picked him since 2015. So on that basis no I’d rather not explain “why” to you. :thumbup:
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
How many of those 40 tests was he at 10 for. Would you pick him as the starting 15 for the ABs. Marcus Smith has 23 test caps but it doesn’t change the fact that he looks great at Prem level but rubbish at test where defences are more organised. If the Chiefs don’t play him at 10 all the time why would you think he good enough for the ABs. Would you like to explain why he struggled to breakdown the 3rd worst defence in the Premiership and ended up losing by 50 points. Razor does not seem to have been impressed with him from those two BaaBaa games either and he had him for two weeks.
Cec
Roar Rookie
40 tests with the ABs playing 10/15, mate that’s your compelling stat, with 24 tests as a starter (and at 80% win rate).
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
so why does he look so flat against organised NH clubs like Quinns. I would love to see the stats on the kicks he has done from hand in SRP compared to the other 10s
Cec
Roar Rookie
DMck has won test matches off his boot. His kick is what kept the Chiefs in the game against a rampaging Saders just last week. If you can’t kick at 10 or 15 then you’re not getting picked by the ABs for 40 tests or play over 100 games for the Chiefs. His highlight reels are scintillating runs & it may not be his best skill but yeah he can kick.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
I have no dog in the fight but people want Razor and Razor wants to change the rules to keep RM as AB 10. Razor had DMac on the BaaBaa tour last EOYT and must not of like what he saw. Chiefs were lucky and don't believe they will beat Saders or Blues if they meet in the semis.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
The fact that DMac isn't kept at 10 by his coach says that even Chiefs management aren't sure he is the best 10 to finish out games.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
As bad as BB is he will deliver a certain standard at test level. Plenty players have pre WC slumps as they avoid injury.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Or Japan develops players game management like a certain Oz 10.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
But if your 10 can't play a kicking game but is built on running it is a bad strategy. Carter was great because he could run well but when needed was great at kicking too. Generally Test games especially at WC are not running rugby games.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Where was all his space finding skills v Quinns
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Does anyone doubt Caleb Clarke? Why was DMac not in the NZ EOYT if Foster is definitely taking him. He was employed at an NPC team and was part of the AB XV so not like he was eligible.
Fox
Roar Guru
Spew Mounga hjas been the least impressive of the 3 this season. Barret has been excellent this year at finding space in behind with his in play kicking game so i don’t know what games you have been watching. Overall – despite a couple of average games – he has rediscovered some of his instincts. Sorry mate but Mounga has been okay but too many games where he has been ineffective at driving his team around the park now the Crusaders pack is not dominating the way it used to. The Blues are improving with each game slowly but surely. Not so sure I can be certain the same can be said of the Crusaders. And Spew the experienced test 10 Mounga was outplayed by DMac by a distance in the weekend which counters that Mounga is the sure thing go-to guy for the AB’s.
Fox
Roar Guru
Foster has said enough already this season to tell you that Dmac will be in WC squad so I wouldn't get bogged down with 'will he wont he' debate. Trust me when I tell you Dmac will be in the squad and you cna take that to bank if the Chiefs win the comp or even make the final. It doesn't matter a crap if some people don't like it - tough luck is all I can say. Caleb Clerk will be in the squad also despite what some may think on here.
Fox
Roar Guru
Not sure I entirely agree Ricardo – Barret has shown some good from this season in some games and he has rediscovered his kicking game in behind. Interesting that Tim Horan – a commentator I really admire – stated in a game a couple of weeks ago that he believes Barret still is the best 10 in world at seeing space in behind. Barrett in my opinion has been playing better at 10 than Monuga overall this season. One the criticisms of Mounga is his game can become irratic when his pack is not dominating and we saw that with AB’s against France last season as well. Right now DMac has to be the most on song of the 3 and Mounga needs to find more consistent form rergardless of what his pack is doing. He has not led his team around the park that well this season IMO and I am not convinced he should be the 1st pick for the AB’s based on current form. Barrett is the more versatile players as well – he can play 10 – 15 – or one the wing. Mounga not so much. That is why for me Barrett has the more class of two.
Cec
Roar Rookie
That’s nothing new & a strategy for a number of teams not just FRA, except for IRE who mostly just keep the ball. Tantalising for an opening match!