Opinion: Where does Damian McKenzie fit in the All Blacks plans?

Damian McKenzie (Photosport)
Damian McKenzie (Photosport)

By Simon Hampton

Let's get one thing clear – Damian McKenzie will make the All Blacks squad come June.

He reminds me a bit of Ma'a Nonu in 2003, when the dreaded, hulk-like figure tormented opposition defences in his debut season with the Hurricanes.

Obviously, the physique of the pair is polar opposite but like Nonu in 2003, and for pretty much every year after that, you got the sense something would happen when he touched the ball.

It's the same with the mercurial McKenzie. He is a joy to watch.

Nonu jumped right in and started the first All Blacks Test in 2003, a 15-13 loss to England in Wellington.

I haven't thought about that match for quite some time but researching it has brought back some painful memories. Is there a worse sight than seeing England beat you on your home patch? Nothing comes close.

Alas, I have been side tracked, back on topic. McKenzie is certainly good enough to start the first Test of 2016 against Wales in Auckland. But will he? And how on earth do you fit him in?

Opinion: Where does Damian McKenzie fit in the All Blacks plans?

(Getty Images)

Ben Smith is the incumbent fullback and Aaron Cruden is the incumbent first-five eighth. History suggests Steve Hansen won't be too quick to stray from that.

He is a very loyal coach, and neither of those two have played their way out of an All Black jersey, but what do you do if a guy plays himself into one and there's no room?

In fact, the only way I see McKenzie earning a starting berth for the All Blacks is if Ben Smith takes the number 14 jersey vacated by the injured Nehe Milner-Skudder, and McKenzie starts at fullback.

That'd be a big call for Hansen to make. But if he doesn't, he still may face a huge call as to the makeup of his bench.

Cruden's a near certainty to have first crack at first-five, meaning Beauden Barrett will come off the bench. Or will he? It's inefficient to have both Barrett and McKenzie on the bench as they play the same positions. One spot on the bench will go to a back-up first-five/fullback and the other to a player who could cover midfield or wing.

McKenzie was at his sublime best in the Chiefs' 28-27 win over the Hurricanes on Saturday.

His dazzling runs were a constant threat, his perfectly executed collection of Cruden's up and under kick was a lesson to youngsters, and his pinpoint goal kicking was a lesson to, well, Barrett.

Opinion: Where does Damian McKenzie fit in the All Blacks plans?

(Photosport)

You see, Barrett's goal-kicking is not even close to the extremely high standard that his running game is at. It's no secret. Fans know it, the media know it, and even he knows it. He's now kicking at just 61% on the season.

McKenzie landed a perfect four-from-four on Saturday, and is at kicking at 71%. That's far from an elite Test match level, but solid nevertheless.

And then you get to Cruden, who's made just four attempts all season and went at 74% in 2015.

Cruden didn't stand out on Saturday night but he also did little wrong, and has been in good enough form this season to suggest he is over his injury and will be the first choice for the All Blacks.

In fact, Cruden's only question mark is whether the All Blacks feel his lack of goal-kicking is a genuine concern. That would not affect his chances of starting at first-five, but it might have a bearing on whether McKenzie gets the nod at fullback, given he is the Chiefs goal-kicker.

This is not an easy game. It's one that will probably be debated over water coolers for the next month. Good luck to you all.

So, what do I think? I think I should have a glass of water and a panadol and then name McKenzie at fullback, Smith on the wing and Cruden at first-five. And with that, McKenzie takes the goal-kicking duties.

I cannot think of a more potent and deadly back three than McKenzie, Smith and Julian Savea. I'm sold up the river on McKenzie, the kid's a superstar. For me, you must find a way to play him. But I don't think that will happen, not for the first Test of the year, anyway. 

Opinion: Where does Damian McKenzie fit in the All Blacks plans?

(Photosport)

Essentially, for Hansen, it comes down to form versus reputation and how much value he places on goal-kicking.

Given his loyal nature and the fact neither Smith or Cruden have played themselves out of an All Black jersey they will start at 10 and 15 and Cruden will be given the goal-kicking duties.

McKenzie's goal-kicking is not at a level where you must select him because of it, and despite his lack of kicks from the tee, Cruden's goal-kicking will not be at a level where you must select a goal-kicker in another position. 

And don't forget, McKenzie is just 21, time is on his side, and he will spend plenty of time in the All Blacks for years to come.

Newshub.