Ospreys statement: McKenzie to return to New Zealand on compassionate grounds

Ospreys playmaker Marty McKenzie is to return to New Zealand on compassionate grounds, the club have confirmed.

A statement from the region reads:

The Ospreys can confirm that Marty McKenzie has returned to New Zealand on compassionate grounds for the next few weeks.

McKenzie signed a short-term deal with the Ospreys back in November as cover at fly half and fullback.

A Maori and New Zealand U20s international, McKenzie has played five games, scoring 13 points for the Ospreys.

The brother of All Blacks utility back Damien - the former New Zealand Maori and U20s fly-half, committed to the Ospreys to the end of the season back in November.

Gareth Anscombe suffered a knee injury while on international duty with Wales and is forced to sit on the side-lines for the duration of the season, and McKenzie was his replacement.

McKenzie was a key figure in the Chiefs’ resurgence in Super Rugby, helping them to the Super Rugby quarter-final in June 2019.

His departure from the club is a blow for the club who are currently struggling for form in the PRO14, where they are have won just a single game all season.

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