Injured Damian McKenzie dubbed a ‘tough little bugger’ as Chiefs provide update on All Blacks star
Chiefs star Damian McKenzie takes on the Brumbies defence.
Chiefs supporters have received a shot in the arm with the news that an injury to All Blacks utility back Damian McKenzie is not serious and he could return to action soon.
McKenzie sustained a knee injury during the latter stages of the Chiefs’ 49-34 victory over the Brumbies in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Hamilton on Saturday.
The 29-year-old hobbled off the field in the 71st minute after All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown’s shoulder clattered into McKenzie‘s right knee after being knocked backwards following a tackle from Brumbies counterpart Len Ikitau.
Injured the same knee which ruled him out of 2019 World Cup
There were concerned looks on the faces of Chiefs fans as well as the team’s coaching staff and players as McKenzie ruptured his ACL in that same knee during the 2019 season and that injury ruled him out of that year’s World Cup.
However, Chiefs assistant coach Roger Randle gave an update on Tuesday and revealed that McKenzie’s injury was not as bad as initially feared and is understood to be bone bruising.
“He went in for a scan, and fortunately it’s not too bad,” Randle told Stuff. “He’s a tough little bugger.
“I spoke to him the next morning and he said he was feeling pretty good as well, so the scan kind of just confirmed that.”
Randle revealed that McKenzie could “potentially” be available to play for the Chiefs in this weekend’s Super Rugby Pacific encounter with the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.
In fine form for the Chiefs
That will be good news for Chiefs fans as McKenzie has been one of the Hamilton-based outfit’s star performers this season.
The All Blacks’ first choice fly-half for most of their Tests in 2024 has started at full-back in all three of the Chiefs victories – over the Blues, Crusaders and Brumbies – but has been influential in each of those fixtures and they are currently sitting pretty atop the Super Rugby table.
Meanwhile, Randall also had a positive update on All Blacks second-row Josh Lord’s knee injury which forced him off the field after just five minutes against the Brumbies.
“His one is still short-term, but it could be for a couple of weeks more than Damian’s,” said Randle.
Randall also revealed that New Zealand centre Quinn Tupaea is also fit despite limping off the field in the latter stages of the Brumbies clash, while All Blacks back-row Luke Jacobson is set to return to action against the Drua after missing the clash with the Brumbies due to a broken nose sustained against the Crusaders.
