The evitable questions on who ought to put on the All Blacks No.10 jersey are sure to proceed effectively into subsequent 12 months after Damian McKenzie was given the distinguished honour of being named in World Rugby’s dream group of the 12 months.
Bizarrely although, the 29-year-old didn’t even end the 12 months in Scott Robertson’s first-choice aspect as he got here off the bench of their last two Checks of the 12 months towards France and Italy.
The World Rugby judging panel was made up of Jacques Burger (NAM), Fiona Coghlan (IRE), Thierry Dusautoir (FRA), Victor Matfield (RSA), Drew Mitchell (AUS), Ugo Monye (ENG), Kieran Learn (NZL), Melodie Robinson (NZL) and Blaine Scully (USA).
McKenzie was given an prolonged run within the No.10 jersey however was dropped to the bench for the All Blacks’ house Bledisloe fixture in Wellington. It got here after the mercurial fly-half got here underneath scrutiny for a roller-coaster trip in Sydney, the place he butchered a number of try-scoring moments that led to the Wallabies staging a second-half comeback that ended simply three factors quick.
McKenzie later began simply one of many All Blacks’ 4 Checks in Europe and the British Isles, with Barrett dominated out of their win towards Eire in Dublin due to concussion.
Damian McKenzie completed the 12 months on the All Blacks bench however was simply named in World Rugby’s dream group of the 12 months because the No.10. (Picture by Hannah Peters/Getty Photos)
McKenzie did handle to silence a number of of his critics with a mature efficiency towards Andy Farrell’s males, as he performed a starring position in ending Eire’s 19-Take a look at unbeaten streak on the Aviva by leaving with an 18-point bag.
On the time, McKenzie acknowledged he wanted a robust efficiency after his up-and-down season.
“I most likely wanted to, and tonight was an incredible night time to attempt to try this,” McKenzie mentioned.
“Look, I used to be in a position to work off an incredible platform that our forwards set. It makes my job an entire lot simpler. We’ve received some thrilling backs who additionally make my job an entire lot simpler, too.”
Robertson, in the meantime, mentioned he was thrilled that McKenzie had repaid their religion in his in the course of the season.
“With D Mac, we managed it off the left boot and the fitting boot. We’ve received rather a lot higher at that. Total, our kicking sport was rather a lot higher,” Robertson mentioned.
“We’ve given him an opportunity, we gave him seven in a row for nights like this. Everybody goes: ‘What are you making an attempt?’ Properly, this tonight, that is why we get the pay from it.”
Later, he added: “He was good, ey? He’s so mercurial and typically he simply doesn’t fairly get it proper, however when he does – and he received it proper on Friday – it’s fairly particular.”
Damian McKenzie celebrated with Will Jordan in the course of the All Blacks’ win over Eire on the Aviva Stadium. (Picture By Seb Daly/Sportsfile through Getty Photos)
Regardless of his starring position, McKenzie misplaced his place within the beginning aspect with Barrett most popular within the No.10 jersey per week later towards France – the All Blacks’ solely defeat of their final seven Checks of the 12 months – and Will Jordan at fly-half.
It’s why the choice to choose McKenzie over others like England’s Marcus Smith, Argentina’s Tomas Albornoz and Scotland’s Finn Russell raised eyebrows.
South Africa, the world No.1 aspect, used a number of completely different gamers at fly-half, together with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok and Jordan Hendrikse, who began towards Wales, whereas two-time World Cup-winning playmaker Handre Pollard predominantly got here off the bench.
Former Scottish fly-half Dan Parks mentioned he didn’t suppose there was a “standout” fly-half in 2024 however thought Marcus Smith’s efforts within the November Checks may have seen him picked.
“It’s an fascinating name, I feel should you checked out what’s occurred within the Autumn Nations, folks would most likely say Marcus Smith,” Parks instructed The Roar Rugby podcast.
“He has been an absolute standout for what England completed. England, in lots of people’s eyes, have been disappointing relating to outcomes, however he has been an absolute standout for what he’s completed.
“To be sincere, I don’t have a lot of an opinion of it as a result of I don’t suppose there’s been an entire standout. On the again of what he’s completed within the Autumn Nations, I might have gone with Marcus Smith.”
Whether or not McKenzie continues within the No.10 jersey subsequent 12 months may effectively come down as to whether Richie Mo’unga, Robertson’s fly-half throughout his reign with the Crusaders, is launched from his Japanese deal one 12 months early.
McKenzie’s choice wasn’t the one choose that raised eyebrows, with a number of folks claiming French captain Antoine Dupont shouldn’t have been awarded the lads’s sevens participant of the 12 months given he featured in simply three World Sequence tournaments.
However there’s no doubting Dupont’s impact on the group, as he helped France snap a 19-year drought on the World Sequence stage as they received in Vancouver.
Dupont’s stardom solely rose after serving to lead France within the Paris Olympics.
