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Damian McKenzie

2025 Super Rugby Semi-Final 2: Chiefs rule over Brumbies with their comprehensive win ahead of next Saturday’s Grand Final v Crusaders in Christchurch

by Sports Benches June 14, 2025

Could 2025 be the year of the Chiefs? Ask Damian McKenzie with his outstanding 10 out of 10 performance as always.

He’s not just your usual go-to kicker, he can be massive from his defensive work like preventing 50/22s to try-saving tackles, and can stir up some amazing razzle dazzle creativity too.

If he can help Chiefs win that grand final over Crusaders next weekend, then he can cover himself in all golden glory with team and individual awards written all over it.

Look out Sevu Reece! Emoni Narawa is ready to cause more damage on what is going to be Super Rugby’s own Ford v Ferrari moment from the wide 14.

He’s someone who never stops running and can stun everyone in many cat and mouse games through the gate.

Mind you Chiefs won against them twice so far and will his two-try haul could be the Chiefs coming of hat-tricks this time?

Bring it on.

Brumbies, don’t know what else to say other than falling short off a Grand Final for the fourth straight year.

At least we saw the best of Tom Wright from the back who isn’t afraid to take any prisoners and risks that can reap benefits like the Brumbies did earlier on.

He is someone the Lions would struggle to stop every time Tom hits full turbo.

Again, he has to see numbers and unfortunately there wasn’t much effort going on around him other than just Chiefs shirts where Chiefs deserved that win.

All in all, Chiefs just too good having unleashed and got away with all-out attacking rewards over the only best Australian Super Rugby team by 37-17 at FMG Stadium in Hamilton.

Yes, Brumbies did fire off well on the front foot right from the word go which wasn’t bad or encouraging to see.

They just couldn’t get enough ball while their attack through open play is something Brumbies struggled to grasp that became a touch isolated where Chiefs went on to eat that whole 2nd half pie by far left, right and centre.

Now we have the Crusaders back in the big dance against the consistent grand finalist Chiefs where there can only be one winner at the same time next Saturday in Christchurch.

Will Chiefs finally get their breakthrough since their last triumph back in 2013?

Or will Crusaders reclaim their golden glory that took time & patience to rebuild from scratch?

We shall wait and see as if there can only be one winner, no doubt Crusaders will want to use that grand final as their A-game where they will win by seven points.

June 14, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Season Round 16 Friday: Chiefs finish regular season on top v Highlanders and Crusaders close out match on time v Brumbies in Canberra

by Sports Benches May 30, 2025

Tupou Vaai’s got power on the Chiefs second row 5 with tries and exceptional ground work while Damian McKenzie at 10 unleashed his need for speed at counter-attacking plays and kicks for goal as well.

Message sent with the three qualifying final games to start next weekend.

Timoci Tavavanawai at 12: a quick thinker, shifter & finisher- not the Highlanders year in 2025 but here to make things count.

Then in Canberra, Crusaders back rowers punched above their weight v Brumbies like starting blindside 6 Ethan Blackadder who did a bit of everything in the first half, and No.8 Christian Lio-Willie pushing and pulling against all stops all game.

Unlucky to Brumbies who didn’t have much ball in the first half when their late bid wasn’t quite enough but Tom Wright from the back always involved that the Crusaders wasn’t able to do on its own.

Chiefs simply unstoppable with their goal-scoring ability that sets the challenge for all over five teams to beat, having collected the regular season honours.

Highlanders, on the other hand, had some great moments that the home fans were proud of for the sake of this last-placed team – lots to look at in the off-season.

Back to Canberra as this Brumbies v Crusaders clash seeks realm like it was last year and many times before. Not saying it was the best of the Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby teams at this time when times have changed.

But still, Crusaders did enough to get over the line off the back of their strong hold forward pack & not so much from the backline, particularly when the loose ones stood out best despite hauling Ethan off.

I guess that’s to protect him who Crusaders need him most next weekend.

Brumbies wished they could have kept Crusaders under water off the back of their restarts that follows up with dominating the last 40 – just needs to work on their consistency and we might as well see the much better version this year.

Now the tables have turned to final round Saturday with three teams still in the hunt for the 6th and final spot:

Moana Pasifika
Blues
NSW Waratahs

This afternoon Tahs will be in Auckland v Blues then at 5pm AEST Moana Pasifika will look to make their first finals appearance in Wellington v Hurricanes.

It’s either Tahs win and Moana lose or Blues win and Moana lose or Moana win either way as long as it’s the win v Canes.

May 30, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

Rugby News Australia: All Blacks see off late escape to retain the Bledisloe Cup by three points following an excellent Wallabies 2nd half fight at Accor Stadium

by Sports Benches September 21, 2024

What a close game it was to bring out Bledisloe Cup I this afternoon from the grandstand at Accor Stadium where the All Blacks got away with a few early tries while the Wallabies benefitted from a series of handling opposition errors where a win was almost possible but not enough time towards the end unfortunately.

The ABs led the Wallabies by 14 points (14-28) at half-time and the Wallabies made most of these unanswered points later on other than the opposition extra lone penalty goal. The final score was 28-31 as the ABs still get to keep the Bledisloe Cup yet again for the 22nd consecutive time going into the 2nd game that will mark the final round of the 2024 Rugby Championship at Eden Park next Saturday in Auckland, although the overall crown will most likely go to the Springboks off the back of their unbeaten 2024 run.

If there’s one person out there who can unlock these gates while adding some conversion kicking swagger, then it’s Damian McKenzie in the All Blacks No.10 shirt. We’ve seen the best of him as always on the counter-attack with a brilliant quick passage of play that reflected the ABs brilliant start and overall first half performance. He could’ve done any better if it wasn’t for these no tries & these poorly timed fumbles but it’s up for everyone else to help him out as if DMac is playing in a Final again (been there more often over the past two years with the Chiefs but still runners-up) next weekend. Although he had some great memories in Wellington though like that semi-finals win a few months ago over the ladder-leading Hurricanes & sure he’ll do his best to produce another A+ grade run there once again (Sky Stadium) but this time at International level.

Next one up is Sevu Reece over in the starting All Blacks wide flank at 14 where he’s been crashing & running at Wallabies defenders for the most part. He’s the one who the ABs benefitted on the short side areas much like Caleb Clarke on the left wing. He can also read off at the right time like these intercepts as well as his sound defending, having made a name of himself plenty of times before & is still here at the Crusaders. Maybe the ABs need him as their only hope too, even though things haven’t been that great at times like we saw today and that two-week Boks tour lately. But safe to say that he & DMac can hoist the Bledisloe for now.

And oh so close for the Wallabies after a near 2nd half resurgence where they could’ve won if it wasn’t for those referee & TMO roulette games. Hard to choose between Tom (Wright) at 15, Fraser (McReight) on the openside 7 or even Tate McDermott at reserve half-back No.9 but Fraser did the heavy lifting though with physical power and pace. He knows what the ABs can’t do which was giving the ball away & Fraser translated it with tries that really threw the opposition under pressure. Imagine if he was playing in a Super Rugby semi-final? (Add Tom and James Slipper in there with Fraser together if you like) He would put any NZ in a tough contest no doubt. But a bad start unfortunately has put the Wallabies in all sorts of trouble as they will go into a match they haven’t won for a long time in NZ territory. Sure, another spiritual performance is always needed like we saw in the 2nd 40 here & the 1st 40 in Dunedin last year but still no Bledisloe Cup for them yet again.

September 21, 2024 0 comment

Rugby

Chiefs see off late threat from the Melbourne Rebels thanks to a Damian McKenzie penalty goal with the close win 23-26 at AAMI Park

by Sports Benches May 17, 2024

Last night was such a thriller between the Melbourne Rebels & Chiefs at AAMI Park with the Rebels got the first TRY while Chiefs make up the most of their maximum points via penalty goals and the one TRY. The half-time score was Rebels 11-13 Chiefs. Second half saw the Chiefs extend their lead thanks to their advantage despite having the first TRY attempt being knocked on by the TMO. Although the game wasn’t over just yet when the Rebels make up back-to-back tries in quick succession where they almost gave a win for everyone supporting at home after they were 23-23 all for a bit, but then an unfortunate lost penalty with only 1-2 mins on the clock saw the Chiefs seal another penalty kick with the win 23-26. Chiefs stay in fourth on the ladder for now while Rebels hang on 6th with another one bonus point going into Rounds 14 and 15.

Damian McKenzie is the Chiefs main man who can get the extra dimension into play with an outstanding knack of kicking into the two posts at 10. Great to see him pass on some good leadership skills that puts his Chiefs team on the map even including under advantage so they can get the job done as being tested with his creativity and direction in attack & sure he still has lots to offer where his spotless kicking conversions has saved the day with the narrow win v a threatening Rebels team. Next up is Chiefs’s No.12 at inside centre/second five-eighth Quinn Tupaea who put in an excellent physical battle to help his side stay ahead. Glad to see him unpack that powerful grit through the Rebels’ wall where the rewards paid off including at the maul en route to his team’s 2nd TRY as if he’s one of the team’s superheroes & he will keep on doing this to win from here. The Chiefs were so relieved to win this game thanks to a great start but then they need to watch out and take advantage with the ball under pressure where they were almost run over by the Rebels. They may be in the Top 4 for now where hosting the home Finals is crucial like it was before but have a tough task ahead with Hurricanes on Friday & then Blues to finish up Round 15.

And how good was Lachie Anderson when he almost guided the Rebels home 23-23 all until a lost late penalty saw Damian McKenzie seal a successful penalty kick for the Chiefs win by three points, with two tries on the board throughout the 2nd half on the right wing. His speed skills isn’t without question who can get things done quick smart – as seen with the sevens circuit in the past as well as his XVs career where he spent the last few years playing for the Rebels in Melbourne & he’s improved so much with so lots more to come if he keeps on bagging tries like this. Speaking of the Rebels, they’ve come from a long, long way having played so well by dominating the pitch for the majority, but unluckily lost if it wasn’t for the inconsistent play as still no word if they will be back playing next year. There is still two games left & maybe a bit more when it comes the Quarter-Finals with the ACT Brumbies in Canberra next Friday before they will finish off the regular season in Fiji against the Drua .

May 17, 2024 0 comment

Rugby

2022 Super Rugby Pacific Preview

by Admin February 15, 2022

2022 is a big shakeup for super rugby. The competition includes three new teams and is now exclusive to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Despite the changes, this season should still be incredibly exciting.

Australian Teams

The closest thing we have had to super rugby over the last three years was the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman series last year. It was a series in which the Australian teams struggled massively, only winning two games against the five New Zealand teams in the competition.

It looks likely to be another year where Aussie teams will struggle. The Brumbies once again look to be the pick of the Australian teams despite the Reds winning their first domestic title in Super Rugby Australia last season. The Queensland Reds will be looking to compete thanks to a variety of international players like Taniela Tupou and Tate McDermott.

The Waratahs, Force and Rebels will all be looking for spots in the knockout stages, but it will not be easy. The Waratahs do see captain Michael Hooper return for 2022, but they still look to be towards the bottom end of the table. Both the Force and Rebels have lost a lot of test experience over the last year and it will sadly hurt them this season.

New Zealand Teams

After dominating the Trans-Tasman series last year, it looks to be another Super Rugby season dominated by Kiwi teams.

Favourites for their fourth title, the Crusaders have a wealth of international talent led by two time reigning player of the year Richie Mo’unga. Their talent also includes Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, George Bridge as well as recent addition Pablo Matera. They may have some competition for their fourth title in a row.

The Blues are welcoming back Beauden Barrett, while still having internationals like Rieko Ioane, Nepo Laulala and Dalton Papalii. They come into 2022 off the back of winning the Trans-Tasman series. The Chiefs could be a surprise this season despite the losses of Damain Mckenzie and Lachlan Boshier. The Chiefs have one of the most talented set of forwards in Super Rugby which could dominate any team on any day.

The Highlanders and Hurricanes both have a huge amount of talent on the squads. But the Highlanders will struggle having lost a third of their starting XV from the Trans-Tasman final. They have a brilliant leader in Aaron Smith, but will struggle to progress in the tournament. Similar situation for the Hurricanes with some major losses coming into the season. But the Hurricanes add Dom Bird and TJ Perenara and could surprise a few people this season.

Two New Pacific Teams

This season features two new teams, both based in the Pacific Islands. After many years of lobbying, the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika will join Super Rugby. Starting with the Fijian Drua. They have had a difficult preparation for Super Rugby due to COVID issues, meaning the squad is based on the NSW North Coast as they could not prepare in Fiji. It looks like the team will need some time to adapt to Super Rugby’s intensity. Their squad contains Olympic champions Napolioni Bolaca, Kalione Nasoko and Meli Derenalagi. Don’t be surprised if Fijian Drua make a push for the knockout stages this season.

The second new team is Moana Pasifika, made up of players from New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga and Australia, including 18 former or current internationals. Much like Fijian Drua, it will be a season of getting used to Super Rugby for Moana Pasifika. 110 capped Australian Sekope Kepu is captain for the 2022 season, bringing a huge amount of experience to the new team. Moana Pasifika will be very exciting in the upcoming season, but don’t expect them to be near the top of the table come the end of the season.

The Loss of South African Teams

The reshaped 2022 Super Rugby does not include any South African teams, after their Super Rugby licenses expired after the 2020 season. It does seem odd going into a Super Rugby season without the Bulls, Sharks, Lions or Stormers. Their exclusion opens the floor up a lot for either the New Zealand teams to take over or opportunities for the new teams or the Australian teams to step up.

Super Rugby is going to look very different this season. Losing the South African teams is big for the competition. Despite not competing with them domestically, South Africa is still playing against New Zealand, Argentina and Australia in the Rugby Championship. It does show some disjointed thinking when it comes to Super Rugby’s thinking. But the 2022 changes bring plenty of opportunities for Pacific Island teams who have been trying to get into Super Rugby for years.

Predictions

In this new look Super Rugby, it looks as if it will be a few years until the new teams or the Australian teams can compete with the talent of the New Zealand teams. 2022 looks to be a similar story.

Working from the bottom up, I think the four teams that are likely to miss out on the knockout stages are most likely to be the Rebels, Force, Waratahs and Moana Pasifika. These teams just don’t have the talent to move any higher. In terms of the teams to get stuck at the quarterfinals, I could easily see these teams being the Hurricanes, Highlanders, Fijian Drua and the Brumbies. The Brumbies could be the surprise package this year, with the talent their squad possesses.

But this season will be dominated by the New Zealand teams. The Reds will be the exception to this, looking likely to at least reach the semi-finals. In an emotional season, the Chiefs will also be targeting a semi-final push, but it may be slightly too difficult for them to get past either of the two teams left.

These two aren’t exactly surprising to anyone who has followed Super Rugby over the last five years. The Blues welcome back Beauden Barrett after his time in Japan, the team has talent in all areas. But the Blues don’t quite have the two time reigning Super Rugby Player of the year.

I think at the end of the season, the Crusaders will lift their fourth title in a row. A team with Richie Mo’unga, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Sam Whitelock and Joe Moody is too much talent for any team to compete with when you reach the knockouts. The Crusaders will win their fourth title in a row.

February 15, 2022 0 comment