Scott Robertson revisits ‘good’ Damian McKenzie question as All Blacks boss reveals fly-half ‘options’

Scott Robertson may be forced to rethink the fly-half position after Damian McKenzie put in another mixed display for the All Blacks against the Wallabies.

New Zealand’s head coach was in need of a first choice 10 following the departure of Richie Mo’unga to Japan and he settled on the Chiefs star.

McKenzie has started all eight of the All Blacks’ matches in 2024 – the only backline player to do so – but he has struggled on occasions.

Backed in August

Robertson has consistently backed the 29-year-old and did so publicly following their 38-30 defeat to Argentina, saying: “Yeah, we are. You’ve got to back him, and he’s learning along the way.”

He also added: “Damian’s showed some really incredible class touches, like that chip kick.

“His short passing game’s really good and he will grow as a game manager, that’s the biggest area.”

All Blacks turn to coaching legend to solve the worrying problem which is stumping Scott Robertson

Following the 31-28 victory over the Wallabies, Robertson was once again asked about the performance of McKenzie, who made the odd poor decision in the Sydney clash.

“Damian was mercurial,” he said.

“He can play, he can turn it on. We know how gifted an athlete and player he can be. He’s getting better at his craft. We’ve got to finish a couple of opportunities and we’re aware of that.

“We have the confidence side of it to create them. We’ve had more meetings than Saatchi and Saatchi, it feels like, around the actual opportunity to see them and finish them.

“You don’t want to take any negative tension around that. You want to train it, and give it. It’s been there. It just needs to click.”

The next step

Possibly the issue for Robertson is that they have very few fly-half options. Beauden Barrett would be the obvious candidate to replace McKenzie, but it would be seen as much more of a risk to play anyone else there.

Stephen Perofeta is injured while Harry Plummer, who was the fly-half that guided the Blues to Super Rugby Pacific success, only has three minutes of Test rugby.

And after being queried over whether he would consider a change, the All Blacks boss responded: “That’s a good question. We’ve backed him. You’ve got to do that. You’ve got to give someone the opportunity and time to hold those reins as long as they possibly can and have someone else who can play there, because it can change quite quickly.

“Beauden [Barrett] is clearly that, and with Stephen Perofeta injured again, Harry Plummer has come in and had a little cameo. It was a great moment for him after the game. Those are the other two options.”

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