Chiefs win against odds
The injury-ravaged Chiefs have overcome the odds and beaten the hapless Blues 27-21 in a heavyhitting thriller at Eden Park on Friday night.
The Chiefs, already suffering significant player losses before the teams were announced, lost All Black lock Brodie Retallick and Shawn Stevenson to further injuries before the match.
But after trailing 14-10 at halftime they stormed back into the game with 17 straight points to regain momentum and the match. Meanwhile the All Blacks selectors may have lucked out in wanting to see how well Damian McKenzie went at first-five against the Blues on Friday night, but they could still have come away happy.
The battle to replace the departing Lima Sopoaga appears to be down to McKenzie and the Crusaders’ Richie Mo’unga and it’s one that’s set to rage throughout the Super Rugby season.
It could be that every game in a No 10 jersey that McKenzie and Mo’unga play is vital.
Damian McKenzie managed to get up after being sent flying by Matt Duffie in the first half.
So when an injury to Shaun Stevenson just before the game meant McKenzie switched to fullback and Tiaan Falcon played at first-five, it could have been detrimental to McKenzie’s cause.
But in an odd way, the late change further enhanced the reputation of the Gore born star.
Against the Blues he showed he’s a world class fullback, which we already knew anyway, but he gave another demonstrating of his defence, distribution and leadership skills.
He also proved he can take a big hit. Matt Duffie and Reiko Ioane may be wingers, but the shot they put on McKenzie late in each half were real bone crunchers.
But what was really key was showing his versatility. You could throw him anywhere into the backline at the drop of a hat and know he’s going to do a good job.
Yes, admittedly his shots at goal did let him down and that pre kick grin, quickly turned to a frown with two first half conversions.
However, he got his eye in over the second half and in a team that displayed so much spirit to play like they did, despite being so injury ravaged, McKenzie did the Chiefs proud.