1
Suntory Sungoliath confirm signing of All Blacks star Damian McKenzie
By Alex McLeod
Japanese club Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath has confirmed the arrival of All Blacks star Damian McKenzie for the upcoming League One season.
McKenzie is off-contract with New Zealand Rugby [NZR] in 2021, and a new deal with the national union is yet to be confirmed, meaning uncertainty reigns over when he will return to Kiwi shores in a playing capacity.
The 26-year-old playmaker wasn't named in next year's Chiefs squad that was unveiled along with the other Super Rugby Pacific rosters on Monday.
McKenzie's departure to Suntory had long been rumoured but not publicly announced until hours after the Super Rugby Pacific squads were revealed, although Chiefs CEO Michael Collins confirmed earlier this year that the franchise's star man wouldn't return in 2022.
McKenzie follows in the footsteps of All Blacks teammate Beauden Barrett by signing with Suntory after the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year played for the club in this year's Top League, which has been rebranded to Japan Rugby League One.
Barrett starred for Suntory during his six-month sabbatical with the club, helping guide the club to a runner-up finish as they fell short to Robbie Deans' Saitama Wild Knights in the final.
McKenzie won't be the only player who featured for the All Blacks this year playing in next season's League One, as lock Patrick Tuipulotu has joined Toyota Verblitz on a sabbatical as part of his deal with NZR.
Tuipulotu joins Barrett, TJ Perenara, Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock as All Blacks to take sabbaticals in Japan in recent years, but, given he is soon to be off-contract with NZR and is yet to re-sign, McKenzie's move abroad isn't of that nature.
Confirmation of McKenzie's departure to Japan comes at the end of a season where he fell behind Jordie Barrett in the All Blacks' fullback pecking order despite starting the year as the first-choice option in the No 15 jersey.
Since his test debut in 2016, McKenzie has made 40 appearances for the All Blacks and has played 95 times for the Chiefs over the course of seven seasons.
“I am looking forward to joining the Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath in the inaugural Japan Rugby League One competition," McKenzie said in a statement published on the league's website.
"I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and contribute to the Sungoliath culture as well as engaging with the Japanese fans.
"I love attacking rugby and I really look forward to playing an exciting brand of rugby. Off field I look forward to experiencing the Japanese culture.
"I hope to see everyone at full stadiums soon. Arigato.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
England No8 Billy Vunipola tasered and arrested in Spain
3
Saints boss Dowson reacts to controversial Care incident
4
Fissler Confidential: Radwan eyed to replace exit-bound England wing
5
Latest Comments
Just like John Plumtree at the Sharks he has had a poor start to this season’s coaching gig, but now it looks like he is starting to pull them back also having won 1 game in the first Eleven games they played. It obviously helps that 11 of his fifteen are Springbok players. But now they are starting to improve. No ways they can make it to the playoffs this year but they probably used this season as a way to figure out their game plan. One query I have and I think quite a few people have is: Are they playing better simply because of their international players are back or is it the team strategy led by Rob Penney that is starting to tick? Well I guess we wait and see. Also if it doesn't work out this season, it might be that Rob Penney is using this season as a way to organize himself for next season. Getting all his combinations sorted, his team strategies sorted and figuring out who is best is which position. Now I don't follow Super Rugby any more having now a full focus in the URC but I was surprised about the current Crusaders stats.
Go to commentsIf I’m a little bloke, who’s just had possession of the ball, I should expect to get cleaned up by Samipeni Finau if he’s opposite me and I do nothing to avoid him. FTFY You’ll need to rewrite the rest of your article now Hamish Bidwell. I’m not sorry for having missed reading this one. I find it hilarious it’s only the static aussie 10s, just waiting there, that are getting smashed. Move on your feet guys, haven’t you watched DMac and Mounga play for the last decade ffs. Chin up, at least your smiles should return when BB returns to SR next year and there’s more 10s to the fodder.
Go to comments