McKenzie didn’t have to worry about the kicking game and, apart from set pieces, was minimally seen at first receiver. The All Blacks committed others, often No 8 Wallace Sititi and the remarkable, all-action Jordie Barrett, while McKenzie looped around as second or third receiver – his footwork and timing of the pass cutting holes in the Wallabies defence.
It was a clever tactical ploy, far removed from conventional first five-eighths play where the No 10 generals his team around the park with measured passing and kicking from hand. It played to McKenzie’s strengths, his breaks setting up first-half tries to Peter Lakai and Tupou Vaa’i. He would have had a hand in two more had Will Jordan backed himself as a crack tryscorer rather than passing in missed scoring chances in the first quarter of each half.
All Black Cam Roigard provided a strong kicking game against the Wallabies at Eden Park. Photo / Dean Purcell
The All Blacks coaches can congratulate themselves on smart use of their 8-9-10 axis, with Roigard the fulcrum as multiphase All Blacks attacks levered Wallabies defences out of position. He scored one try and assisted in two others as the All Blacks won vital parts of the game in the first 50-odd minutes before the Wallabies cracked open in the last 20. They reduced handling errors and penalty count.
However, a couple of caveats: first, the Wallaby defence was far from the smothering, bruising, error-inducing wall with which the Springboks largely frustrated the All Blacks in the recent Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. Second, the Roigard-kick-McKenzie-run tactic can’t be a permanent ploy; defence coaches are too savvy and will adjust.
It also requires Roigard; no other halfback in New Zealand possesses his kicking skills or dangerous runs. If he is injured, this tactic becomes less viable. However, working McKenzie into wider spaces is still a profitable pursuit, especially from broken play and on the counter, finding space at pace.
That can be done with him at fullback though Saturday’s test was only the fourth time Roigard and McKenzie have started together at 9 and 10 in Roigard’s 25 tests (though McKenzie has moved to 10 from fullback late in matches). With Richie Mo’unga and Ruben Love out injured, a repeat outing in Sydney is more than likely and highly desirable, even if the tactics change a little.
Coach Dave Rennie has four international-quality first fives at his disposal, (including Beauden Barrett) even if their styles differ markedly. However, he must soon choose one to take precedence at next year’s World Cup, with Love now unavailable until next season. Most will bet on Mo’unga. Love may lose ground with his injury while Rennie has preferred McKenzie at fullback than 10. It may be time, however, for a rethink after McKenzie’s bravura performance against the Wallabies – with the end-of-year tour to Scotland, Wales and England next.
Mo’unga may have the inside running but playing McKenzie at 10 increases variability – handy for keeping the opposition guessing, particularly in one-off matches … like the likely World Cup quarter-final against the Boks.
A few weeks ago, this column encouraged the All Blacks to play their top team consistently after the South African tour, building combinations and accuracy. Rampant injuries haven’t helped but you’d imagine few changes for the Sydney Bledisloe test – maybe a new bench hooker and loose forward, a new starting wing, plus Fabian Holland back at lock, perhaps for Josh Lord after Scott Barrett’s fine return. It’s another chance for McKenzie to shine.
It was also heartening to see Sititi charging into his work against Australia. He has had knee surgery, an ankle injury and a bad concussion in recent times and had not looked the potentially generational talent of pre-injury. This time he managed multiple carries, often forcing himself past the gain-line after contact. If the All Blacks can also use him further out, where his natural footwork can beat defenders, he may be an even sharper weapon.
One of those brought into the Bledisloe squad after the latest batch of injuries is midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown, though the midfield remains intact with seemingly no need for reinforcements – unless they rest the excellent Jordie Barrett and/or Quinn Tupaea.
Rennie’s team showed the value of experience against the Wallabies. However, Sydney is a dead rubber so is an opportunity to give ace jackal Timoci Tavatavanawai some game time at second five.
Paul Lewis writes about rugby, cricket, league, football, yachting, golf, the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
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