In-form Mckenzie gets a chance to run the show
The All Blacks were keen on seeing more of Damian Mckenzie at first five-eighth, and having been an unlucky omission from their squad, he has now been handed the task of running the show from No 10 for the New Zealand Maori against the Lions in Rotorua tomorrow.
The gifted 22-year-old has been in sensational form for a second year running with the Chiefs in Super Rugby and missed out by a whisker to Jordie Barrett for national honours, with the selectors keen on him developing more in the playmaking role.
He’s set to get that opportunity next year at the Chiefs when Aaron Cruden heads to France, but it just so happens that incoming Chiefs coach Colin Cooper has opted to pick him to run the cutter for the Maori.
Cooper’s other options were Ihaia West and Otere Black, but he’s opted to put Mckenzie’s gamebreaking skills to the forefront.
‘‘It’s the style we want to play, and the threat he offers with his kicking game, particularly against the Lions’ linespeed, so to utilise his speed and ability in that space,’’ Cooper said.
Cooper said he’s happy for his players to be pressing for greater things, and that he’s been in contact with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, not talking about the Maori’s gameplan, but working together on how to integrate his three squad members in.
‘‘We work really closely with the All Blacks,’’ Cooper said. ‘‘I want these players to be proud of
who they are, and they get an opportunity to represent Maori, New Zealand rugby, and aspire to be in the best team in the world, which is the All Blacks.’’
For Dixon, he is intent on working his way back to the top, admitting he was hurting somewhat about not making the squad.
‘‘Yes I was – you can’t do much about it,’’ he said. ‘‘I was disappointed, yeah, but I really want to be back in that team.’’
Similarly for Mckenzie. He’s always says that making the All Blacks is a bonus on top of whatever other side he’s playing for, but no doubt it would have been a tough pill to swallow missing out to Barrett, who, while extremely hot property also, has also had limited time at 10, is in his first year of Super Rugby and is a couple of years younger.
‘‘Look, it’s still an honour to play for the Maoris as well,’’ Mckenzie said. ‘‘It’s still a massive privilege and it’s a massive opportunity too. Now it’s about trying to better yourself and just keep working on little things in your game.
‘‘And with 10 it’s about time in the saddle.’’
For the little dynamo, it’s not too drastic a change moving to No 10 – he slots in there at time to time with the Chiefs, has played there for Waikato and grew up in that position.
‘‘The first time playing 15 was with the New Zealand 20s,’’ he said. ‘‘I think the roles and skillset of both 10 and 15 are quite similar, I guess it’s just more involvement in the game at 10 and it’s more about guiding the team around the park rather than trying to make things happen.
‘‘Defensively I guess you might see a bit of traffic.
‘‘I’m really looking forward to it, it’s good to get a crack there.
‘‘They’ve obviously put their trust in me to guide the team around the park. And we’ve got a lot of other talented individuals in the team which could do the same, so I’m just pretty lucky to be in that position.
‘‘Hopefully I can make the most of that.’’