McKenzie on the rise
Damian McKenzie must be desperate to apply the heat to an All Blacks career that is yet to get anywhere near boiling point.
Sydney, where the New Zealanders will aim to put the Wallabies into a chokehold by winning the first Bledisloe Cup match of the year, could be the spot where McKenzie adds to the 121 minutes accumulated in just two outings on the test stage.
At 21 years McKenzie has time on his side. But everyone seems to be in a rush to make things happen these days, and he will be no different.
Now shapes as the logical time for the utility back to strike, providing selectors Steve Hansen, Ian Foster and Grant Fox give him that opportunity.
Aaron Cruden, the back-up to first five-eighth Beauden Barrett during the series against the British and Irish Lions, is finished-up in New Zealand, having signed-up to play in France.
And Jordie Barrett, who started at fullback in the third test against the Lions because Ben Smith was recovering from a head injury, won’t play again this year because of a bung shoulder.
Things, potentially, could really start to happen for McKenzie at ANZ Stadium.
Although previous appearances for the All Blacks have been at fullback, he started there against Italy in Rome and was used as a substitute against Argentina in Buenos Aires last year, the selectors have signalled in very clear terms that they also want to use him at first-five.
With Barrett and Smith expected to start at five-five and fullback against the Wallabies, the naming of McKenzie on the bench would be the likely option if he is to be included in the match-day 23. Barrett, prior to taking over from Dan Carter when Cruden failed to hold on to the No 10’s job following the 2015 World Cup, often specialised in providing impetus off the bench.
His ability to play at fullback and first-five meant he had clarity in terms of reading the defence, and when he entered a game coach Steve Hansen could field playmakers in two key positions. It also meant there were attacking options on both sides of the ruck, or off a midfield scrum.
Despite his impressive attack statistics in Super Rugby during the last two seasons, McKenzie has been held on a tight rein by the national selection panel.
The selection landscape has changed. When Ben Smith embarks on his sabbatical after Bledisloe II in Dunedin next weekend, just three of those men will be available for duty for the remainder of the season.
It’s a point that is unlikely to be lost on McKenzie.