SA Rugby magazine

South African rugby news, interviews, videos and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers, Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • Vodacom URC
  • Videos
  • Cars
    • Cheap cars for sale
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Deals
    • One Day Deals
    • Nationwide Deals
      • Deals in Cape Town
      • Deals in Johannesburg
      • Deals in Durban
      • Deals in Pretoria
      • Deals in Port Elizabeth
    • Accommodation Deals
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Food and Drink Deals
    • Experiences
    • Health and Wellness Deals
    • Beauty and Spa Deals
  • BLACKOUT RUGBY MANAGER
You are here: Home ∼ McKenzie to make Super Rugby return

McKenzie to make Super Rugby return

Damian McKenzie lines up a shot at goal Chiefs Damian McKenzie looks to kick a goal during the round 9 Super Rugby match between the Chiefs and the Blues
Published on December 10, 2019

Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie is on course to return to action in round one of the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season.

McKenzie, who has been out injured since April after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, is reportedly likely to return against the Blues – the same team he was playing against when he suffered the season-ending injury.

According to 1 News, the lively playmaker is back in training with the Chiefs ahead of the new season, with assistant coach Tabai Matson confirming the positive update to Radio Sport’s Jim Kayes.

‘He’s running and will be doing tackling all the way through December, and will be available at the start,’ said Matson.

‘It’s exciting to have a world-class player of that calibre back in the mix for sure. It’s great news for him and for us and for New Zealand Rugby.

‘He’s been one of our best for a long time. Nearly 80 games of Super Rugby and [he’s only 24]. It’s frightening that he’s got a lot more to give.’

ALSO READ: Cruden to make Chiefs return

The Hamilton-based side will surely be delighted to have one of the game’s most exciting players back in the mix, after his X factor was missed by both the Chiefs and the All Blacks throughout the 2019 season.

The Chiefs have also been boosted by the return of veteran Aaron Cruden ahead of Warren Gatland’s first season in charge. With McKenzie able to double as flyhalf and fullback, Gatland is – barring injury – spoilt for choice in terms of his backline options.

The versatile McKenzie, who has previously stated that he prefers the freedom that comes with playing at fullback, could potentially link up with Cruden in a double-playmaking role next year.

Brad Weber, Anton Lienert-Brown, Shaun Stevenson, Solomon Alaimalo and Etene Nanai-Seturo are just some of the Chiefs’ attacking threats for next season, with exciting youngsters Quinn Tupaea and Kini Naholo – younger brother of Waisake – set to make their debuts in 2020.

The Chiefs kick off their 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season with a derby against the Blues at Eden Park on Friday, 31 January.

Photo: Michael Bradley/Getty Images

Posted in News, Super Rugby, Top headlines Tagged 2020 Super Rugby, Aaron Cruden, All Blacks, Blues, Chiefs, Damian McKenzie, Hamilton, Warren Gatland

Post by SA Rugby magazine

SA Rugby magazine

Check out Blackout Rugby Manager HERE!

← Previous Next →

Sevens’ party falls flat

World Rugby shouldn’t have messed with a winning sevens formula, writes SIMON...

Draining format clogs Blitzboks’ blockage

A protracted schedule took the wind out of South Africa's sails at...

England cut Eddie, Razor to stop the bleeding

England have made the rash decision to part ways with coach Eddie...

Rassie ref hom in die rooi

Rassie Erasmus is hardly the embarrassment that some are making him out...

Cut and paste Kurt-Lee for Kolbe

Kurt-Lee Arendse ticks all the right boxes to replace the injured Cheslin...

Rassie auditions for England job

Rassie Erasmus has made the most calculated of public job applications to...

Boks need to make mentality adjustment

The Springboks need to lose their underdog mentality, writes SIMNIKIWE XABANISA in...

Kolbe’s worth every penny

Cheslin Kolbe’s big-money move to Toulon should be welcomed as a massive...

‘Bok gameplan, when executed correctly, is hard to match’

The opportunity to play against the All Blacks is a career highlight...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Column: When context is needed

As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Bonus-point Bulls douse Dragons
  • Munster maul luckless Lions
  • Stormers sign off 2022 in style
  • Sharks carve Bulls on New Year’s Eve

Jacques Burger’s Perfect XV

    BKT United Rugby Championship, Scotstoun, Glasgow, Scotland 8/1/2023 Glasgow Warriors vs DHL Stormers Stormers' Damian Willemse Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Craig Watson
  • Highlights: Heartbreak for Stormers in Glasgow thriller

###


COVID-19 Corona Virus
South African Resource Portal

African Insider
African Insider News

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy

TOURNAMENTS

    • Rugby Championship
    • Super Rugby
    • Currie Cup
    • Varsity Cup
    • Gold Cup
    • Schools
    • Six Nations
    • Champions Cup
    • World Cup
    • Challenge Cup

OPINION

  • Mallett on SuperSport
  • Cardinelli column
  • Lewis column
  • Xabanisa column
  • Borchardt column
  • Superbru

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • Vodacom URC
  • Videos
  • Cars
    • Cheap cars for sale
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Deals
    • One Day Deals
    • Nationwide Deals
      • Deals in Cape Town
      • Deals in Johannesburg
      • Deals in Durban
      • Deals in Pretoria
      • Deals in Port Elizabeth
    • Accommodation Deals
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Food and Drink Deals
    • Experiences
    • Health and Wellness Deals
    • Beauty and Spa Deals
  • BLACKOUT RUGBY MANAGER