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Super Rugby PacificChiefsDamian McKenzie

Watch: A schoolboy Damian McKenzie leaves commentators lost for words with brilliant performance

The 1st XV game that put schoolboy Damian McKenzie on the map as a potential All Black

Damian McKenzie captained Christ College 1st XV in his final year after being a three year player at the elite schoolboy level.

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In 2013 his Christchurch-based school travelled south to one of the country’s powerhouse rugby schools – Otago Boys High School – known for having a strong pack and physical defence, for an annual traditional.

The explosive first five led his side’s haka with incredible mana to mount the challenge against the home side, before delivering a performance that left the commentary team lost for superlatives.

McKenzie scored all of his side’s 16 points as an improbable upset looked on the cards before Otago Boys mounted a second half comeback and chased down Christs to win 19-16.

Despite a great individual showing, McKenzie showed little regard for the individual praise, deflecting to his teammates for a great showing and expressed disapointment at not having won the match.

The game certainly cemented McKenzie’s status as an up and comer worthy of watching, which didn’t take long to translate to the next level.

He immediately became one of Super Rugby most exciting attacking talents with the Chiefs before debuting with the All Blacks in 2017.

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Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 3 minutes ago
Boks warned Scotland are a different beast from World Cup encounter

Don’t trigger Nigel. It’s been nice not to here his ad hominem bleats about world rugby and the refs for the past 30 minutes.

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Nickers 5 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

There's the double standard - NZ are guilty of "filthy dangerous play" While poor little Johnny was just innocently trying to "stop a grounding"... with a clothes line to the face and a headlock.

9 Go to comments
R
RedWarrior 24 minutes ago
Ex-international says Ireland 'licking their lips' ahead of facing All Blacks

There is a major story unfolding around Gleeson's bar in Booterstown, South Dublin City last night. Beaudy Barrett, DMac and Cody Taylor were there. DMac was supposed to be on the Guinness 0.0 but lets just say it didn't turn out that way.

Hours later, Dmac out cold, head on the table with a long stallagtite of flem and spittle rising and falling with his breathing. There is a video apparently.

The barman barred a staggering Taylor from any more Guinness but Taylor kept pushing past him, pulled a seat up to the Guinness tap and personally pulled himself pints, claiming it was 'celebrity pint pulls mate'.

One of these celebrity pint pulls made a local paper but it's only a matter of time before the real context comes out. Dmac is out of the team for Friday due to breaking 'internal standards', Sititi starting at 10.

1 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 27 minutes ago
Boks warned Scotland are a different beast from World Cup encounter

Now that made me laugh bull!


I tell you what though, the head knock from Kriel on Hugh jones in the wc that didn’t result in any card was a real mystery with the way things are now.


Also suspect the Boks will be pretty well motivated by glasgows antics in stellenbosch last week and loftus in June…


Should be a cracker hopefully!

4 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 31 minutes ago
Rob Kearney’s All Blacks verdict: ‘They're scared of Ireland now...’

Those words could come back to bite on Friday!!!


That said, six day turn around and BB missing ain’t the best…

6 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 32 minutes ago
Rob Kearney’s All Blacks verdict: ‘They're scared of Ireland now...’

A 7 a side team that aren’t liked? With sexton you say? My word, you do (NOT) surprise me…

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Bull Shark 34 minutes ago
Clive Woodward thunders into Eddie Jones debate ignited by Danny Care

They should line Clive up for a second coming with England.


It would be hilarious.


But seriously though. I wonder who the RFU are looking at to replace Borthwick in December.


There are slim pickings I guess. I reckon it will have to be an Englishman?

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E
Ed the Duck 34 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

Now that would be very entertaining to watch…but not pretty for Teddie!

77 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 40 minutes ago
Rob Kearney’s All Blacks verdict: ‘They're scared of Ireland now...’

Can’t he just fall in line and call for the haka to get binned?


I wonder what the French have lined up. Something about the ABs mothers. That’ll get them really riled up for sure.

6 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 41 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

That wouldn’t be disastrous for the urc tbf and it could just work for the welsh and English clubs but the welsh should beware and ensure they don’t burn their bridges on the way out if it were to pass…

77 Go to comments
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Utiku Old Boy 44 minutes ago
Rob Kearney’s All Blacks verdict: ‘They're scared of Ireland now...’

Talking themselves up again. No AB is "scared" of Ireland.

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Bull Shark 45 minutes ago
Boks warned Scotland are a different beast from World Cup encounter

I don’t think the boks are under any illusions. This game against Scotland is the toughest of the November tour, and they will be prepared and up for it.


The B team will play England. 👀💩

4 Go to comments
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Utiku Old Boy 46 minutes ago
Ireland vow not to take All Blacks lightly despite 'good track record'

Agree with this. The result may also turn on the officiating. NH rugby often plays over the off-side line in their rush D and then go off their feet at the rucks. If this is policed correctly, the ABs could well rattle the Irish (again). If the Irish get the freedom to push those areas, I don't think this version of the ABs have shown the ability to change / adapt and counter.

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NB 46 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

Yes williams will get better, but I'll warrant Jas Ryna was hoping for more given Stuart's struggles over in NZ in July v. De Groot. Will S looked like he was enkyoing himself against the youngster!

77 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 47 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

Nick, I agree Williams has been struggling at loosehead. Do you think they should move him to tight head?

77 Go to comments
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NB 48 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

Tbf it did look better at Twickers with the escort retiring behind the ball rather than stopping in front of it to defend the catcher. I had my doubts but it looked promising.

77 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 53 minutes ago
Former All Blacks react to scrappy win against England

Goldie and JK love their little good cop bad cop routine.

1 Go to comments
R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

9 Go to comments
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NE 1 hour ago
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode

Loads of criticism aimed at Borthwick. The only relevant ones being the ill thought substitution of Smith.


The Autumn internationals (or 'year-end' tours) have never been about winning at all costs rather more about putting fringe players and new game plans to the test. There's plenty for Borthwick to work on but with a plethora of top rated players now available to England the 6N is the immediate target.

19 Go to comments
R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Ireland were no1 for more weeks than any other team between 2019 and 2023 but were ranked #5 for RWC 2023 because the rankings were taken in 2019. So you can rant about the quarter-funeral RWC matches but Ireland and France finishing joint 8th and Scotland finishing joint 16th has everything to do with the draw and little to do with Rugby ability. NZ may well pull it off this weekend. But they will sweat and bleed (a lot) to do so. We don't like arrogant teams in Ireland. That will be made crystal clear on Friday.

9 Go to comments
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