Superb McKenzie chief architect in Brumbies
Chiefs Brumbies If Damian McKenzie doesn’t play another home game for the Chiefs this season, at least he sent the fans home happy.
Still owing an All Blacks standdown week, the star first five-eighth will more than likely miss next week’s clash against the Hurricanes. However, he delivered arguably his best performance in the Chiefs No 10 jersey this season to steer his side to a 24-19 win over the Brumbies.
McKenzie’s improved game management, spoken about by halfback Brad Weber during the week, was clear against the Brumbies.
The No 10 put boot to ball when the situation called for it and put his foot down with ball in hand when the space was available.
It proved to be an important factor in what was, for the most part, a dominant Chiefs performance.
Much like they did last week in their win over the Hurricanes, the Brumbies set to pace early. While the Chiefs looked to move the ball when trying to attack, the Brumbies simply tried to grind away.
They were finding it tough, though, with the Chiefs forward pack impressive at the breakdown to secure extra possessions.
The Brumbies’ grind-it-out mentality did, however, lead to a fairly dull opening 24 minutes in which the only points came from a McKenzie penalty.
However, the match opened up when Nathan Harris barged through two defenders to score from close range — the defenders clashing heads helped the cause.
After the try, there seemed more gaps in the Brumbies defence for the Chiefs to exploit, with the light-footed McKenzie making the most of those.
Six minutes after Harris’ try, McKenzie set the scoreboard in motion again with a display of playmaking brilliance. A flick pass around the back to a man on his inside sparked a fast break, and McKenzie was the benefactor.
Converting his own try, McKenzie gave the Chiefs a healthy 17-0 lead, which they carried into the break.
The Brumbies had the better of the opening play in the second half and were rewarded when winger Henry Speight went over in the corner to open their account. They were almost in again moments later, but were
denied by a crucial one-on-one tackle by McKenzie on Andy Muirhead.
The Chiefs lead increased when Johnny Fa’auli got a lucky bounce off the post to score, but when Jesse Parete was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle, the Brumbies pounced.
With a one-man advantage, the visitors scored tries through Speight and fullback Tom Banks to make it a five-point game but the Chiefs held on for an important win.
They will now host the Hurricanes next weekend with a chance to claim a spot in the top four.
Chiefs 24 (N. Harris, D. McKenzie, J. Fa’auli tries; D. McKenzie 3 cons, pen) Brumbies 19 (H. Speight 2, T. Banks tries; W. Hawera 2 cons). Halftime: 17-0.