Chiefs 2023
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See link to pay-walled article below:
Most important bits:
Damian McKenzie is back in Hamilton with a newly inked year-and-a-half contract that will keep him at the Chiefs and in New Zealand rugby until the World Cup but the dynamic playmaker knows he faces fresh competition to regain his spot in the All Blacks this year.
Committing through to the 2023 World Cup in France leaves the door open for the 27-year-old to again take his talents offshore, or stay as a potentially senior figure in a depleted All Blacks squad.
For now, his return to the Chiefs significantly boosts their playmaking stocks. With Bryn Gatland growing his game and one test All Black Josh Ioane understood to have re-signed for a further two years, McKenzie is likely to slot in at fullback for the Chiefs.
McKenzie was not included in the All Blacks 36-man squad named last week for the three-test series against Ireland next month as he must first play for Waikato to be eligible. Once he satisfies that stipulation, he will likely go head-to-head with Perofeta for an All Blacks recall later this year.
"I'm not eligible for the Irish series or the initial squad naming for the Rugby Championship but my understanding is if there's an injury to maybe a 10 or 15 then I'm eligible to be brought into the squad. I'll just wait and see what happens. My mind at the moment is focused on the season with Waikato and if something pops up, I'll go from there.Whenever off-contract McKenzie is often linked to a move south. He grew up in Invercargill and shifted to Christ's College before joining Waikato in 2014. Now settled with a house in Hamilton, a return to his southern roots in not on the agenda anytime soon.
Having last played two matches for the Mooloos during the Covid-affected 2020 season, McKenzie is relishing a provincial return.
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@Stargazer If they don't play McKenzie at 10 then the coach must be very stupid.
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@Tim said in Chiefs 2023:
@Stargazer If they don't play McKenzie at 10 then the coach must be very stupid.
If they signed Ioane for two more seasons, they are stupid.
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@OleOleOle said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae He's a like for like replacement for Trask....if not Trask then Reihana, the Chiefs seem very reluctant to use Reihana
If we re-sign / keep Trask, and Gatland, and Ioane, plus have Dmac, and then don't sign Reihana, it will be clear that they are fucking idiots. In that case, I'll start a petition for McMillan to be fired.
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@gt12 said in Chiefs 2023:
@OleOleOle said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae He's a like for like replacement for Trask....if not Trask then Reihana, the Chiefs seem very reluctant to use Reihana
If we re-sign / keep Trask, and Gatland, and Ioane, plus have Dmac, and then don't sign Reihana, it will be clear that they are fucking idiots. In that case, I'll start a petition for McMillan to be fired.
I just assumed you've had one circulating for the past couple of years.
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@Nepia said in Chiefs 2023:
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2023:
@OleOleOle said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae He's a like for like replacement for Trask....if not Trask then Reihana, the Chiefs seem very reluctant to use Reihana
If we re-sign / keep Trask, and Gatland, and Ioane, plus have Dmac, and then don't sign Reihana, it will be clear that they are fucking idiots. In that case, I'll start a petition for McMillan to be fired.
I just assumed you've had one circulating for the past couple of years.
So far, just lots of yelling. That might stimulate me to take action.
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@OleOleOle Gatland only has one more year of his contract to go, and if DMac leaves post-RWC, the Chiefs need to have a succession plan in place. Trask would be better as a 1st 5, but McMillan doesn't play him there. The younger 1st 5s in the region (Cashmore, Kemara) are still kids. Reihana and/or Trask would seem to be the logical choice in the short-term.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@OleOleOle Gatland only has one more year of his contract to go, and if DMac leaves post-RWC, the Chiefs need to have a succession plan in place. Trask would be better as a 1st 5, but McMillan doesn't play him there. The younger 1st 5s in the region (Cashmore, Kemara) are still kids. Reihana and/or Trask would seem to be the logical choice in the short-term.
Based on that, they'd be silly to re-sign Ioane.
Dmac (first choice), Gatland (bench), Trask/Reihana for the future getting some time at 10/15.
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I never saw any information about the length of Jonah Lowe's contract, but I assume he was off-contract.
This move would mean re-signing Etene Nanai-Seturo has to be a certainty, as the winger stocks are already light. Chase Tiatia and Emoni Narawa are also off-contract.
I am hoping that the Chiefs have someone better lined up.
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Exclusive: All Blacks star Damian McKenzie reveals rugby future
