All Black ten jumper: Barrett or DMac?
SPOTLIGHT: Damian McKenzie is the X-factor in the All Black squad for the World Cup, that enigma of a player that is produced once in a decade.
The top points scorer for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season with his 191 points, ‘DMac’ as he is affectionately known, was simply sublime since returning to New Zealand and has been a key part of the Chiefs‘ unbeaten run.
The superstar re-signed with New Zealand Rugby, the Chiefs and Waikato Rugby until the end of 2025.
Having played 40 All Blacks Tests, predominantly at fullback, McKenzie also adds depth for national selectors at flyhalf.
The Chiefs pivot is also the leading points-scorer (105) in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
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DMac is your top points scorer for 2023 👑
What leaderboard do you want to see next?#SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/v2VndthhOQ
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) July 1, 2023
The question is, where to play in the All Black jersey? He faces opposition from Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett for the ten jumper, but he must be in the squad for his ability to tear a game apart with sheer brilliance.
He has spent just over 70 per cent of his matches at fullback with the balance at flyhalf, but his form for the Chiefs this year suggests he is becoming more adept at his game management in the pivotal role.
Could the selectors pull a shock, replace Barrett with McKenzie, who would accompany Mo’unga?
The top points scorers in Super Rugby Pacific were: McKenzie 191, Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders) 174, Sam Gilbert (Highlanders) 122, Reece Hodge (Rebels) 119, Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes) 118, Beauden Barrett (Blues) 115, Noah Lolesio (Brumbies) 97, Ben Donaldson (Waratahs) 81, Christian Leali’ifano (Moana Pasifika) 70, Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders) 65.
