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The next big re-signing priority for the All Blacks and NZR
By Ben Smith
The re-signing of Rieko Ioane is a big coup for NZR but there is still one major priority outstanding for the All Blacks for 2024 and incoming head coach Scott Robertson.
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With All Blacks Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga departing to Japan following the World Cup the depth at first five-eighth is going to be tested like never before.
Compounding the matter is that Damian McKenzie is still unsigned post-2023 leaving Blues pivot Stephen Perofeta and new Hurricane Brett Cameron as the only capped All Black No 10s signed for 2024.
On NZR’s biggest re-signing priority now that the deal for Ioane has been announced, Sky Sport commentator Ken Laban without hesitation selected the in-form Chiefs playmaker.
“Damian McKenzie, 100 per cent,” Laban told Sky Sport NZ’s The Breakdown panel.
“He’s the player, if Beauden is not around and Richie is not around, well who is going to drive the team?
“On top of that, the way that he has been playing this year, his footwork, his passing, his vision. One thing he has never lacked is confidence.
“He’s got that ability now when playing for the Chiefs that every time he goes to the line he’s got multiple options.
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“It’s not something that we’ve not seen previously. He’s playing in a very slick outfit, well coached, well programmed, well planned.
“He can go right, left, back down the middle, he’s got those options. As we know, he is a magnificent runner.”
The Chiefs have returned to the top of the table with seven wins from seven games to start the year with McKenzie back from Japan running the cutter.
Former All Black winger Sir John Kirwan likened the dynamic play by McKenzie to that of a rugby league No 6 which brings a fresh approach to the game.
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“We talk about innovation, I actually think he has brought it because of the way he plays,” Kirwan said.
“I talk about this every week, he plays like a rugby league stand-off.
“So he’s running laterally at times, running straight often, but laterally at times with guys cutting [underneath], guys coming in at different angles. I just think that’s what the game needs.
“Are we actually seeing the new, modern first five-eighth in Damian McKenzie?
“Sign him tomorrow. Damian, please sign with Rieko. He is fundamental I believe.
“While I don’t think he is the number one [No 10] for this World Cup, if we are going to play Beauden at fullback, he is definitely our number two.
Kirwan implored NZR to use the money that would have gone to departing Crusaders first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga to secure McKenzie for the next World Cup cycle.
“If Richie Mo’unga is going, then there is a big pot there. Just use it on Damian,” he said.
If McKenzie is not retained, New Zealand Rugby still have work to do to lock up other 10s at the other franchises.
Highlanders’ first five Mitch Hunt, Bryn Gatland of the Chiefs, and Harry Plummer of the Blues, and Hurricanes’ fullback and No 10 option Ruben Love are all off-contract.
One Test All Black Josh Ioane joined the Chiefs in 2022 on a one-year deal which appears to have been renewed but his status past this year is unknown.
Hurricanes’ pair Aidan Morgan and Brett Cameron are signed through 2024, while Zarn Sullivan of the Blues and Crusader Fergus Burke are signed for 2024.
