SENZ rugby expert Justin Marshall believes Waikato playmaker Damian McKenzie is struggling to find his rhythm in the NPC.
The 27-year-old returned to the domestic competition after a season in Japan with Tokyo Sungoliath but has hopes of pushing for higher honours in the All Blacks’ end-of-year Northern Tour.
While aiding Waikato in their playoffs hopes, Marshall believes consistent changes to McKenzie’s position in the backline may hurt his chances of an international return, having struggled to cement himself at either fullback or first five-eighth.
“Damian McKenzie … he’s suffering from Jordie Barrett syndrome,” Marshall told SENZ’s The Rugby Run.
“He’s getting played all over the place and you just don’t get your rhythm enough.
“I can understand why Waikato are doing that; sometimes he’s at 10, sometimes at 15, sometimes he’s been off the bench.
“I don’t know whether that’s (because) they felt he had a bit of volume of rugby in his system and they want to keep him fresh, but he’s got to grab a position by the scruff of the neck and for me, that’s fullback.
“He’s just got to play there week to week to week … I just think him moving between 15 and 10 is not helping his rhythm at the moment.”
While the All Blacks Northern Tour begins on October 29, McKenzie will first lead Waikato to the NPC playoffs, where they will face Bay of Plenty on Sunday afternoon.
An impressive finals stint may be enough for McKenzie to push for higher honours, with both the All Blacks and All Blacks XV heading on tour at the month’s end.
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