DAMIAN MCKENZIE

The All Black is running the show in an unexpected role for high-flying Chiefs

- Campbell Burnes

AT THE START of the season, it looked as if Damian McKenzie would be the Chiefs full-back for much of Super Rugby Pacific. He’d worn 15 for the bulk of his Chiefs career and they had ample cover at first-five through Bryn Gatland, one of the form No 10s of the NPC, the mercurial Josh Ioane and the improving Rivez Reihana.

Age 28 (20 Apr 1995)

Birthplace Invercargill

Franchise Chiefs

Position Fly-half or full-back

Height 5ft 9in

Weight 12st 10lb

NZ caps 40 (15T, 13C, 1P)

Instagram handle

@damianmckenzie_

Two factors changed that: the desire to get the ball in the hands of your chief playmaker more often and the career-best form of Shaun Stevenson in his best position.

Forget what might happen with the All Blacks next year, McKenzie was the best fit for the Chiefs right now at No 10. Along the way, he outplayed All Blacks incumbents Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett, passed Stephen Donald to become Chiefs’ all-time record scorer and racked up 100 games for the franchise. As May began, D Mac was pulling the strings for a side top of the Super Rugby table.