All Blacks: Scott Robertson’s verdict on ‘clutch’ Damian McKenzie after ‘proper Test match’ against Scotland
Damian McKenzie praised by All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has heaped praise on super-sub Damian McKenzie after his game-winning cameo against Scotland in the Autumn Nations Series.
McKenzie entered the action at Murrayfield on 44 minutes, replacing the injured Caleb Clarke, and brought his full box of tricks as he led his team-mates to a late win.
While it wasn’t plain sailing for New Zealand, who conceded two tries early in the second period through Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn, they recovered to seal victory.
Clutch player
The win came about thanks to McKenzie‘s stunning finish on 74 minutes, but prior to that he more than stepped up in all facets in a showing that delighted Robertson.
“You need someone that is clutch, and he is pretty mercurial. He can kick a 50:22, score a try and kick that penalty,” the head coach told the All Blacks’ official website.
“You know he is going to inject something and he did with his timing and skill-set. He is tough, and he trusts himself. We’re pleased he did it again, and over and over.
“But you’ve still got to create it. We went in at half-time and were pretty clear what we needed to do, but dropped a kick-off. 20 minutes later, we were under a lot of pressure.
“It was a proper Test match.”
That it was in Edinburgh as Scotland pushed the All Blacks all the way on Saturday, with the visitors having three players yellow carded, two coming in the second half.
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Despite this, New Zealand managed to front up defensively and escaped with a priceless triumph over the Scots that extends their incredible Test streak at Murrayfield.
“There were some amazing efforts on defence,” Robertson continued.
“We could have just rolled over and given up on one of the efforts, but we didn’t. We stayed in it for such long periods, and when we needed to turn it over, [we did] and that’s what we’re really proud of.
“It wasn’t perfect, the execution wasn’t perfect.”
Savea reaction
Meanwhile, All Blacks captain Ardie Savea felt a mixture of pride and relief after his side prevailed 25-17 as he reflected on how they reacted to those yellow cards.
“I’m proud of the boys,” he said. “We could have gone either way, with the crowd in the background. We could either take a breath and move towards that pressure, with what the Scottish were bringing to us, or we could be calm and then nail our next moments, and next moments.
“I thought we did that towards the end.”
He added: “In rugby, you’re never satisfied, or we’re never happy with a performance, but to come out of that, and the special occasion it was for Murrayfield, as All Blacks under the pressure we were, we’re grateful and happy.”
