Why Ian Foster picked McKenzie over Mo'unga
Following an exceptional year for the Chiefs, Damian McKenzie will get his chance to lead the All Blacks around the park in the team's first Test of the international season against Argentina.
The Rugby Championship kicks off this weekend and Mendoza plays host to the first glimpse of All Blacks rugby in a World Cup year.
Four years of preparation is wrapping up and Ian Foster's first team announcement of the year hasn't exactly resolved the lingering questions, although his press conference offered some answers.
McKenzie's form certainly warranted an opportunity at the playmaker role for the All Blacks, but many expected Foster to prioritize continuity and select Richie Mo'unga with just five games until the All Blacks' World Cup campaign kicks off against hosts France.
Foster revealed his choice to instead field McKenzie was largely influenced by the idea of getting the Chiefs flyhalf back up to speed in the international game after missing 2022's international season while playing in Japan.
"He's just playing well," Foster said. "He's been out of the All Blacks for a year, I've been so impressed with the way he's come back and I think that the best way for us to get him back defending the way he can, and contribute and be a part of this team and to give us the best chance to show how he can play for us is to give him that opportunity when he's feeling confident.
"We've got Beaudy (Barrett) at fullback, Richie (Mo'unga) at 10, we've got a bit of a luxury there at the moment. It's just a nice vote of confidence for Damian. When you've been out of the All Blacks for a while, there's always a bit of nerves.
Some speculation suggested Mo'unga and other first-choice options from 2022 are being rested to reserve some energy for the Springboks who the All Blacks face next week in Auckland, but Foster was unwilling to comment on that theory.
"That's next week's topic. This is a big Test for us and we're not thinking too far beyond that right now."
In the Covid-impacted schedule throughout Foster's tenure, there have been few Tests outside of New Zealand or Australia, and the coach acknowledged that fact in emphasising the importance of embracing the Mendoza match and all of its challenges.
The match kicks off at 7:10 am NZT on Sunday.
Latest Comments
> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
Go to comments