ABs World Cup blow as McKenzie ruled out
All Blacks utility Damian McKenzie has been ruled out of the 2019 Rugby World Cup with a knee injury.
Coach Steve Hansen, speaking to media at the All Blacks first ‘‘foundation day’’ in Wellington yesterday, confirmed the 23-yearold ruptured the ACL in his right knee playing for the Chiefs against the Blues in Hamilton on Saturday night.
‘‘Yeah, he’s he’s done an ACL so [it] looks like he could be out for eight to nine months, which is a real shame for him,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘His World Cup opportunity is gone [but] he’ll still be young enough to make probably the next two.
‘‘It’s just important that he gets his knee right and takes his time to come back and achieve the dreams that he wants to achieve.’’
Hansen said it was sad for McKenzie, ‘‘but it creates another opportunity for somebody else. We’ve got to expect injuries and there will be more than just him when we finally name the team to go to the World Cup’’.
‘‘Our task is finding someone else to fill his role and his task is getting the knee right to be able to play the game.’’
Hansen said the All Blacks still had Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga as first five-eighth options while Ben Smith and Jordie Barrett can cover fullback.
McKenzie left the field in Hamilton in the first minute of the second half, after clashing with Blues No 10 Otere Black.
A scan confirmed the injury, and McKenzie, who has played 23 tests, is now set for a long stint on the sidelines.
Given the World Cup in Japan kicks off in a little more than five months, the door has been opened for another first five-eighth to join Beauden Barrett and Mo’unga in the All Blacks frame.
It’s a significant blow to the All Blacks given McKenzie’s utility value. He was both an option at first five-eighth and fullback, and provided a reliable goalkicking option.
Crusaders first five-eighth Brett Cameron, who made his All Blacks debut against Japan last year, could come into the equation, although his form has been patchy in his limited opportunities for the red and black so far this year.
Meanwhile, Hansen had better news on injured All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams and flanker Sam Cane.
Williams has ‘‘had his knee trimmed up’’ and Hansen was confident he would come back.
‘‘Many people come back from cartilage injuries so that’s not a concern but if he gets back and plays four or five games, bingo, he’s going to play some good footy we saw the other night he played well.
Cane has resumed light contact training with the Chiefs after breaking in his neck in the All Blacks’ test against South Africa in Pretoria last October.
‘‘He’s back into contact which is wonderful news and he’s just got to take his time there.’’