Rugby: Rookie makes most of switch to fullback

Damian McKenzie bided his time on the bench before being handed a chance at fullback against the Stormers. Photo / Getty Images

What does an exciting young talent do when an All Black is blocking the path to his preferred position?

He simply opts to excel in another, if Damian McKenzie's rapid rise with the Chiefs is anything to go by.

McKenzie was one of the Chiefs' best in their recent trip to the Republic, starring at fullback to earn a third straight start in the No 15 jersey for this afternoon's meeting with the Cheetahs in Hamilton.

The 19-year-old had previously displayed his abundant abilities at first five-eighths in the Chiefs' season-opening win over the Blues but, with Aaron Cruden returning from an early rest, the protege was forced to step aside for the established pro.

So McKenzie bided his time on the bench before being handed a chance at fullback against the Stormers, helping his side's attack to arguably its best effort of the season.

A week later he was one of the few Chiefs to emerge with credit from an ugly outing against the Sharks, regularly creating something from nothing with a series of electrifying runs from the back.

His emergence sees McKenzie sit among his team's top five in clean breaks (five), defenders beaten (15) and average gain (5.88m), despite his 251 minutes this season ranking just 13th among all Chiefs.

It has also allowed Dave Rennie to include both of his attacking dynamos, with Cruden leading the side from pivot and the similarly-statured McKenzie sparking the attack from the back.

"He's got a fantastic skill set and he's very quick," Rennie said of McKenzie. "He's still got a lot to learn, obviously, but he's a hell of an exciting prospect. He's a great kid and he'll just get better and better with more opportunities at this level."

McKenzie is understandably happy wherever those opportunities arrive, having played fullback for the New Zealand under-20s before spending the ITM Cup season at No10 with Waikato.

"I've had a little bit of experience [at fullback] but I'm still getting used to everything," McKenzie said. "I'm enjoying it and it's a good position to play in.

"Obviously with Cruds at 10, it's still good to learn off him. But if I keep getting an opportunity at 15, I'd love to play there. We'll see what the coaches have to say but if I get another opportunity at 15, I'll make the most of it. There's a lot of good players who can play there, so it's anyone's position at the moment."

McKenzie wasn't entirely satisfied with his efforts in South Africa, particularly under the high ball, but another impressive outing today could help him lock down the position.

"I see Damian as having the same opportunities as Gareth Anscombe had when he came here," said assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge.

"We've got one of the All Blacks first fives playing pretty well, so this is an opportunity for Damian to nail a position.

"He's got his head around it now, that it's a real prospect for him to become our regular fullback."