“He absolutely nailed it”: Former All Blacks commend McKenzie as five-eighth battle begins
In the battle for the All Blacks’ No.10 jersey, Chiefs flyhalf Damian McKenzie stood tall as a serious contender during Friday night’s emphatic 31-10 win over the Crusaders.
Up against fellow international 10 Richie Mo’unga, McKenzie emerged triumphant on the back of a powerful forward pack and impressive kicking game.
With two of the three five-eighth roles for the World Cup seemingly held down by Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett, former international Israel Dagg believes McKenzie “nailed” his opportunity to take the remaining spot.
“All the eyes were on Damian McKenzie and seeing how he could take to that 10 position and I thought he absolutely nailed it and potentially outplayed Richie Mo’unga,” Dagg told SENZ Breakfast.
“I thought Damian showed great signs going forward to the future that is more than capable of taking that 10 jersey.”
Ex-All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall was equally impressed, telling SENZ’s The Rugby Run: “I think (that was) probably the best I’ve seen him play in that jersey in a big match.
“Obviously he can open games up regardless when he’s in that jersey but when it comes to big crunch matches against very good opposition and good defensive sides, that’s when your true metal is tested.
“His kicking strategy was really good; when he needed to sit back a bit and find space he did, when he needed to kick long he kicked long well, when he needed it to be competitive in the air he did that as well.
“He was getting outside the fourth or fifth defender of the Crusaders quite comfortably and opening up the field.
“That’s what he’s so very good at, so the Chiefs’ pattern very much revolved around that.”
McKenzie became the Chiefs’ all-time leading points scorer during the match, surpassing Stephen Donald’s record of 886 points.
While the fly-half was electric while commanding his team around the park, Chiefs legend Ian Jones says the forward pack deserves credit for their part in his success.
“Damian McKenzie’s going to play well, or any No.10’s going to play well on the performance of the forward pack in front of them and the Chiefs’ forward pack laid a wonderful foundation,” Jones told SENZ Mornings.
“The speed of their ball, the numbers they were getting to the breakdown, the ability to turn it over and for Brad Weber to deliver quick ball to McKenzie allowed McKenzie to do absolutely what he does (best).
Now sitting third on the ladder, the Chiefs will head across the ditch to take on Moana Pasifika for Melbourne’s annual Super Round fixture.