All Blacks fly-half Damian McKenzie feels his game has “matured” as he prepares to start for New Zealand in the Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Mendoza this weekend.
After returning from a stint in Japan, McKenzie put together a blockbuster season with the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific and was arguably the player of the tournament.
Kicking is part of playmaking
He has always been lethal with ball in hand but the star, affectionately known as ‘D-Mac’, looked far more composed and effective. The Chief believes that adding a focus on kicking has made him a better playmaker.
“My game’s probably matured a little bit more than what it has in the past,” McKenzie said.
“I used to run myself into a trouble a bit, and put the team under pressure.
“I’ve learnt that kicking is a big part of being a playmaker, and having that experience this year with the Chiefs has been great.”
There is still massive competition for the spot in the All Blacks number 10 jersey with Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett lurking, but it is good to see McKenzie rewarded for his form.
Whether he will hold onto the shirt against the Springboks and/or Wallabies remains to be seen but for now, he is just focused on his game.
“It’s obviously been a good year so far and being given an opportunity…obviously, Richie [Mo’unga] and ‘Baz’ [Beauden Barrett] are playing great rugby, so I wouldn’t say the jersey’s mine whatsoever,” he said.
“But it is an opportunity. For me it’s just about just playing my game.
“Obviously, we’ve got a game plan but you just want to be yourself, be instinctive and play the rugby we have tried to play all year.
“That’ll be what I’m trying to do on Saturday, just do my job. And like I said, it’s an opportunity, so I’ll be trying to make the most of it.”
Full 80 minutes required
McKenzie acknowledged the growth Argentina has shown in recent seasons and insists it is about keeping it simple for the full 80 minutes in Mendoza.
“Obviously over the last couple of years they’ve got even better, so they’re a great side,” he added.
“For us it’s about doing nothing too flash. It’s just doing the simple things really well as a team.
“The boys have had great seasons with their Super sides, so it’s just going out there and just been instinctive and playing rugby.
“We know we’ll have to do that for the full 80 minutes against an Argentinian side in front of passionate Mendoza crowd.”
READ MORE: Rugby Championship preview: All Blacks’ quality to shine through against Argentina
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