Few things inspire confidence in a team like a first-five with a fully functioning computer for a brain combined with the bravery to run the ball into a cul-de-sac of angry opposition forwards.
The Chiefs now appear to have two. Aaron Cruden, rested for the Chiefs' opening game against the Blues at North Harbour last night, will want to hit the ground running to put the pressure back on Damian McKenzie, a 19-year-old who looks to have a promising future.
McKenzie didn't have the perfect game. He lost the ball in contact in the final minute of the first half and also missed a long-range penalty in the first stanza.
The good thing for him is that soon after, he had no hesitation in telling rookie skipper Matt Symons that he wanted to have another shot from near the halfway line and he duly slotted it. He was also quick and decisive with the ball - just what a team without the experience of Cruden, Brodie Retallick or Liam Messam want, and showed he is no slouch on defence, stopping wing Tevita Li in his tracks.
His carry early in the second half, during which he collected a slap around the chops, earned a penalty from the resulting ruck which he converted. He was back to snuff out the danger of a long kick, which the electric Li was chasing.
