How the All Blacks XV can use Damian McKenzie

Damian McKenzie has been a regular name in All Blacks squads since his international debut in 2016, but a stint in Japan last season has seen him lose that spot to Blues fullback Stephen Perofeta.

Now selected in the All Blacks XV, McKenzie has an opportunity to showcase his form yet again on the international stage, albeit from New Zealand’s development team.

McKenzie’s experience and skillset is an asset coach Leon MacDonald will cherish, but how he employs it will be a balancing act, with other young talents in Bryn Gatland and Rueben Love looking to make their mark on McKenzie’s familiar 10 and 15 jerseys respectively.

The Aotearoa Rugby Pod panel discussed how MacDonald could maximise each players opportunity given their skillsets, with ex-Blues Hooker James Parsons proposing the rotation of the three players throughout each game.

“Potentially start Gats (Gatland), and Damian (McKenzie) at 15,” James Parsons said.

“(Then) bring Damian up to first five and bring a guy like Rueben Love in.

“You’d have to think on form at 10, Bryn (Gatland), I think he’s probably the most in form 10.

“Damian’s versatility early in the game, having that time where he can attack is when he’s his biggest weapon and then when he steps up to that first receiver role which he does a lot from 15 anyway, but late in the game against tiring bodies, he is just so dangerous.

“Throughout that full 80 I just think that’s his better fit of going from 15 to 10.”

Parsons co-panelist and ex-Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall looked to the All Blacks squad for some insight into how the XV side might handle their selections.

“Depending on Jordie Barrett and what his position is going to be moving forward, we’ve obviously got Beauden Barrett who’s got that, you know, we’ve talked about that double pivot role but he plays it pretty well anyway just as a fullback but Damo can do that position as well.

“He can do that, play at 10, play at 15, so having the ability to play at 15 whether that be Bryn starts or the All Blacks selectors want to see him at 10 and try and go for what Stephen Perofeta’s been doing, is that being that third 10 who can cover that 15 role.

“We haven’t seen a lot of Damian McKenzie, he’s obviously an All Black and people want to see him in the All Blacks squad when selected but I think this is a great opportunity for him to be able to play 10 or 15.

“They could even split it with Bryn starting one and then Damo starting at 10 and you’ve got Rueben Love who can cover 15 as well.”

Parsons agreed the lineups “may look different for both games”, with a further consideration being Ian Foster revealing there’s potential for players from the All Blacks squad to drop into the All Blacks XV for some playing time.