Damian McKenzie: All Blacks back ahead of the second clash against France

All Blacks utility back Damian McKenzie has responded to scrutiny around the side's ability to secure possession off contestable kicks ahead of tomorrow's second test against France in Wellington. 

Les Bleus peppered New Zealand's back three in the air at Dunedin last week to good effect. 

McKenzie —who played almost all of the game at fullback after Sevu Reece came from the field with a head knock— told Heather du Plessis Allan the penalising of escort runners has made things trickier. 

He says it’s definitely a skill they need to work on, but it’s not an easy one to nail.  

However, McKenzie is confident they’ve got the kicking game to match France. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
So we've got Tests two against the French and Wellington
tomorrow night. If there is one thing we've learned from
the first test, it's that a B side French team
isn't to be underestimated. Our teams much the same as
the one that was called up for Dunedin. Damien mackenzie
is on the bench in the number twenty three. Jersey
again is with me morning, Damien.

Speaker 2 (00:16):
Hey, there you go.

Speaker 1 (00:17):
I'm very well. Thank you. Did you expect the French
team to be that strong?

Speaker 2 (00:21):
Yeah? For sure. I mean where any French team you
play against, the always you know, put the best fam
I think you know, particularly under the roof the stay
threw everything at us and it doesn't matter what team
you playing a test match, they always are going to
put the you know they the best rugby when they
come up against an all the next side. So I

(00:43):
knew we expected that and I'm not sloly in the
easy this weekend.

Speaker 1 (00:47):
What's going on here? I mean it seems to me
that France is or is becoming, or maybe it always
has been a powerhouse of rugby where even if you
take out the top tier players, the next lot are
almost as strong. It's it's kind of like the All Blacks,
isn't it.

Speaker 2 (00:59):
Yeah, I think I've got some outstanding depth. Obviously, they
had a lot of new faces playing in the in
the team, and I've got a probably more inexperienced side
than they'd usually have a full strength. But I mean,
like you said, it's you know, one person steps aside,
one guy steps up. So they've always been a strong
rugby nation and they get bid every year, So I

(01:20):
just I mean it shows the depth they've gotten, the
quality of rugby they're playing over in France, and yeah,
wish we expected what we got on said day, and
we know we're going to expect a lot more this
weeking too, So yeah, I guess they've got some great
steps over there at the moment, and I think that's
something we pride ourselves onto.

Speaker 1 (01:36):
So last year we had you starting so far this
year two Test matches and we've got Body starting in
the position. Has Razer told you what the plan for
you is?

Speaker 2 (01:45):
I think you know, Body had a great game last
weekend and you know he's obviously her world class ten
and I've been lucky enough to learn of him for
a number of years and you know he's you know,
got the job of leading the team for a start,
and I guess, you know, maybe my opportunity may come
later in the series or at a later date, but

(02:06):
you know, for me, it's regardless of what position I'm putting,
whether it's obviously fortunate enough to be on the bench
this weekend, it's just sort of made in my role
or whatever that is. I mean, last weekend it was
probably a bit different to what I expected it would be,
and sort of sat down for a minute and I
was back up. So yeah, I guess sort of when
my opportunity comes, just making sure I make the most
of it. But yeah, my role at the moment is

(02:27):
just bringing the mpect off the bench and making sure
I do a good job.

Speaker 1 (02:31):
There is it different out there when you've got a
Ardie in the captain position.

Speaker 2 (02:34):
Not so much. I think both fairly influential players, Ardie
and Scooting guys that definitely lead by the actions. ADDIE's
a guy a few words, but when he does speak
you out, you've listening to Scoots very much the same.
So I don't think anything changes. We've got some great
leaders within our team, and although you know, both Ardie

(02:56):
skippers the team this weekend, scoot was last weekend. We've
got great guy around them that helped them out as well,
so nothing changes too much.

Speaker 1 (03:03):
Yeah, you know we've talked about the strength of the
French team and you know by All Black standards, actually
you guys are quite a green team, not your useself
for just some of the guys around you. How do
you reckon?

Speaker 2 (03:11):
They're going really good? You know, it's always awesome to
see new faces in the All Black side, and like
I mentioned earlier, just the quality of depth and new
younger rugby and guys being awarded for great super seasons.
So you know, I remember my first time in an
All Rex camp. You know, you're pretty nervous, like our
first at school. But I think those boys are stepped
in really well and it really put their hand up

(03:33):
and only role with from the team, and you know
there are only any bettle with experience. You know, the
more test rugby you play, the more understanding, the more
you understand it, and just the speed of the game,
the physicality of the game. So I think those boys
are doing a great job.

Speaker 1 (03:47):
Have you guys as a team had a chat about
the kicking this week. There's been a bit of chat
now in workplace about whether there's been maybe a bit
too much aimless kicking.

Speaker 2 (03:55):
Oh he's there, Oh, there you go. Not so I
think you know it's uh, you know you text the
ball to put teams under pressure, so you know, it's
it's about making sure you're putting the ball in the
right ears the field, particularly putting the ball in front
of your forwards that they're worth working really hard. So
it's really important. And I think the sounds of the

(04:18):
forecast that might not be too flash this weekend. So
I think kicking game is really important. I mean, when
you're out there trying to kick aimlessly, it's making sure
we're kicking and putting ourselves on the right ears of
the field and making it as easy as possible for
our forwards to run forward onto the ball. So I
think there's been some good kicking, not too much aimless kicking.

Speaker 1 (04:37):
Well maybe maybe not. Maybe not aimless kicking. But perhaps
what is being suggested is I'm trying really hard here,
Damien to say this nicely. That's why I'm picking my words.
Maybe we're not as good under the high ball as
we think we are. What do you think?

Speaker 2 (04:53):
Probably I think it's a lot, a lot more difficult
now with you know, saving a highball. I mean, not
too long ago you're able to escoop back, which gave
you you catch at the decker, bit of help to
get a free catch on the ball. But you know,
now it's sort of a free run. It's definitely a
lot harder. So you know, obviously a lot of people

(05:15):
think it's maybe something that we need to work on,
and we're always working on it. But I don't think
it's definitely a strength of ours for sure, But I
just don't think it's as easier than what it used
to be. It's a bit of a free free for
all the air at the moment. So yeah, it's not
an easy, easy sort of skill to nail, but one
we're definitely still working on a lot throughout our week.

Speaker 1 (05:35):
Brilliant, Damien, go well, I'm sure you got I love
the way that you play. I'm sure you guys will
do a brilliant job. Jamien McKenzie all blacks tests tomorrow.
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