Damian McKenzie has become ‘an easy target’ as Kieran Read gives verdict on All Blacks star’s shocker
Damian McKenzie in action for the Chiefs and All Blacks legend Kieran Read.
All Blacks legend Kieran Read has leapt to the defence of Damian McKenzie, who has come under fire following his performance in the Super Rugby Pacific final.
The fly-half endured a veritable shocker in the showpiece event, making a series of errors as the Chiefs succumbed 60-5 to the Hurricanes at the weekend.
Many believe that has decided the battle for the All Blacks 10 jersey with his opposite number on Saturday, Ruben Love, dominating the duel.
McKenzie particularly struggled with the conditions in the first-half, with the windy Hnry Stadium in Wellington making it difficult to kick.
Love and McKenzie to ‘lead the All Blacks around’
“It’s tough on him, right? [Cam] Roigard can’t pass five metres without the ball getting affected by the wind so even just dropping for a drop-kick is obviously pretty tough,” Read said on the GBRANZ podcast.
“There were a lot of factors to why there were a few errors in the kicking game of McKenzie, but you see the commitment of that bloke though – putting his head in front of some of those big Hurricanes forwards throughout the game.
“What he offers is something different. Yes, the game didn’t go his way and Love being able to score in the corner and do what he does brilliantly.
“Those two are definitely going to be the guys leading the All Blacks around, which is great. Why wouldn’t you want those two guys in the team and doing what they do?”
Former Wallabies star Jeremy Paul then chimed in and had a slightly less sympathetic viewpoint, highlighting McKenzie’s poor record in finals, where he has played in seven showpiece events and lost them all.
Paul also believes that the criticism which has come his way is simply a consequence of being a high-profile player in New Zealand.
‘It’s quite extraordinary’
“The thing about Damian McKenzie is, unfortunately, he’s been an easy target for a couple of years now. I’m sorry, but that’s just the All Black territory and what goes with becoming an AB, particularly in the most pivotal position of 10, and if you don’t succeed…” he said.
“He’s probably had longer than any All Black that I’ve ever known to actually be given a chance; he had this seven to 10 Tests [in 2024].
“There’s this crazy record with Damian McKenzie, too, I think he’s lost something like seven finals.
“I’m not hanging s*** on him, I’m not, I love Damian McKenzie, I think he’s a fantastic player, but this is basically a circumstance of being an All Black.
“This is the pressure, especially at 10, because you guys just pile s*** on players, I’m sorry. It’s the public, everyone has their opinion, but poor Damian McKenzie in terms of his win-loss record in finals, it’s quite extraordinary.”
