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McKenzie still a perfect 10

In fact the 22-year-old All Black is going to follow the masterplan for his career.

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McKenzie, Chiefs coach Colin Cooper and the All Blacks selectors all want to see McKenzie feature at flyhalf more regularly.

Despite being forced to start at fullback – the result of an injury suffered by Shaun Stevenson in the warm-up before the Chiefs' 27-21 win over the Blues in Auckland this past Friday – McKenzie often came in as the first receiver.

Chiefs coach Colin Cooper says he'll look to move the 22-year-old back in as the starting No.10.

"That's what we're going to do," Cooper said.

"We've got that opportunity to move him back to No.15 but grow him as a No.10 also.

"I want it, he wants it, the All Blacks want it.

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"It's a winner.

"We did the same with Beauden Barrett at Taranaki, it took him a while to adjust from No.15 to No.10, it will take Damian [a while], he's just got to be given the time and patience."

Against the Crusaders the previous week, McKenzie showed that he is a work in progress – to get up to speed with the intricacies of playing at flyhalf, but he is determined to keep plugging away.

"It's something I want to try and also improve on over the year," he said.

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"Obviously, I want to play there and through injury, I didn't this weekend, but I'm hoping that throughout the season I get a few more shots there, while Tiaan and Marty [McKenzie] can step into the role if need be."

Source: Stuff.co.nz

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