WATCH: All Blacks star Damian McKenzie sets up a blinder as a direct result of Super Rugby binning ‘Dupont Law’

David Skippers
damian mckenzie super rugby pacific dupont law.jpg

Damian McKenzie exploited Super Rugby Pacific's decision to close the loophole known as the ‘Dupont Law’.

Chiefs fly-half Damian McKenzie hit the ground running in Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific opener against the Crusaders as he set up a try for Xavier Roe with a superb line break in his team’s 33-29 win in Hamilton.

Ahead of this year’s tournament, the big news was Super Rugby Pacific organisers’ decision to implement law trials, which closes the loophole known as the ‘Dupont Law’ in an attempt to discourage tedious kicking battles and promote more running in the game.

Well, that certainly paid off for the Chiefs midway through the opening half when McKenzie fielded a kick inside his 22 and set the game alight like only he can.

After gathering the ball, the All Blacks star set off on a mazy run in which he beat four defenders before offloading to Shaun Stevenson on the halfway line. Stevenson’s progress was then halted by Rivez Reihana on the Crusaders‘ 22 but he managed to get a pass out to Roe, who cruised in for his five-pointer under the posts.

The Super Rugby Pacific trial law combatting ‘Dupont’s law’ and ‘kick-tennis’

McKenzie added the extras, which meant the Chiefs were leading 17-3 after he had traded penalties with Reihana earlier, and Kaylum Boshier crossed for a converted try.

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The Crusaders struck back in the 23rd minute when Sevu Reece crossed for the Crusaders’ opening try, but the home side would finish the half stronger courtesy of another try from Etene Nanai-Seturo, which Stevenson converted and another three-pointer off the kicking tee from McKenzie, which meant the Chiefs held a 27-10 lead at the interval.

That penalty would be McKenzie’s last act of the match as he was forced off the field with a leg injury at half-time, with Josh Ioane coming on to replace him.

The Crusaders made the brighter start to the second half and narrowed the gap to five points courtesy of tries from Chay Fihaki and their captain, Scott Barrett, with Reihana succeeding with one conversion.

The visitors continued to dominate, and in the 68th minute, their efforts were rewarded once again when Fihaki went over for his second try, and Taha Kemara added the conversion, which meant Super Rugby Pacific’s defending champions were leading for the first time in the match.

Despite that, the Chiefs did not panic during the game’s dying moments and sealed their win when Ioane held his nerve to slot two penalties.

READ MORE: Five bold Super Rugby Pacific predictions including a shake-up in hierarchy and Fijian Drua

Chiefs Damian McKenzie

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