McKenzie shifted to fullback

The debate will rage on regardless of what comes of Damian McKenzie’s return to fullback for the Chiefs.

The All Blacks playmaker, after starting three games at first fiveeighth, has been switched to the back three as the struggling Chiefs host the Hurricanes in Hamilton tomorrow night.

In a deep, dark hole after alarmingly crashing to four successive defeats in an awful start to their 2019 season, Chiefs coach Colin Cooper has opted for six changes to the side that started in the recordbreaking defeat against the Crusaders last Saturday.

The Chiefs have shifted McKenzie from first-five to fullback, a position many feel is better suited for the livewire All Black’s skills, but the 23-year-old has often said he prefers playing at No 10.

Chiefs assistant coach Neil Barnes said injuries played some part in McKenzie’s positional switch, with utility Jack Debreczeni (illness) and outside back Solomon Alaimalo (concussion) unavailable to face the Hurricanes at FMG Stadium Waikato, but a side reeling from chastening defeats to the Crusaders (57-28), Sunwolves (30-15) and Brumbies (54-17) badly needed shaking up somehow.

McKenzie’s move to fullback will no doubt have tongues wagging, but it was widely expected after a difficult few weeks at first-five during a slump that leaves the Chiefs rock bottom of the table on one point.

It might inspire the Chiefs if McKenzie has more freedom to run and attack from the back, while shouldering less responsibility in managing the game, with elder brother Marty McKenzie taking the No 10 jersey for his first appearance of the season after recovering from a hip injury.

The McKenzie brothers were on the field together seven times for the Chiefs last year, with Marty replacing Damian permanently in another two games.