Damian McKenzie ‘split in half’ by huge hit as Super Rugby Pacific account blasted
Damian McKenzie getting hit by Moana Pasifika centre Fine Inisi.
All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie made an impressive return to action as the Chiefs claimed a dominant Super Rugby Pacific triumph, but he also received some treatment from Moana Pasifika.
Clayton McMillan’s men responded to their disappointing defeat to the Crusaders by securing a 68-12 victory over the Pacific Island outfit.
McKenzie missed last weekend’s clash but was back in the starting line-up for Saturday’s encounter and was once again influential in the win.
Chiefs’ best player
The difference in the Chiefs when the New Zealand star is playing is stark, and he was at his best as the hosts touched down 10 times.
McKenzie was also accurate off the tee, kicking nine conversions, as he once again displayed his credentials ahead of the All Blacks 2024 Test season.
As a result, the fly-half tends to be targeted by opponents and that was no different on Saturday as Moana’s Fine Inisi saw a chance for a big hit.
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After a kick through from the visitors, the Chiefs’ pivot picked up the ball and scanned the field, looking at his options.
He duly saw the opportunity to cut through the defence before drawing Inisi and finding his man on the wing. The visiting centre still managed to leave his mark, however, and absolutely smashed McKenzie after the pass.
Not sure what's more impressive… the tackle or the offload! 🤔#SuperRugbyPacific #CHIvMOA pic.twitter.com/2LoVwy1yqI
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 6, 2024
Promoting a ‘no-arms’ hit
It was not late but there was a question mark over whether there were arms used by Inisi. Many felt there weren’t and were surprised by the official Super Rugby Pacific account’s decision to promote the hit.
“No arms in the tackle. Should have been a penalty,” one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter, while another added: “Did the defender get a card for that? He should have.”
McKenzie also showed his toughness to get straight back up after, as one person put it, Inisi attempted “split McKenzie in half.”
The likes of New Zealand and Australia and consistently pushed for the 20-minute red card, which has raised a debate as to whether they truly care about player welfare.
“So if super rugby pacific thinks that’s impressive then there’s something seriously wrong with the administration,” was another comment on X.
Meanwhile, Progressive Rugby were surprised that the hit did not trigger a signal from the smart mouthguards which players are now using.
“If Damian McKenzie wears an instrumented mouth guard, this collision didn’t trigger a precautionary removal. Interesting to know,” they wrote.
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