Damian McKenzie

1.1. Childhood and Education

McKenzie was born in 1995 in Invercargill, New Zealand. He received his secondary education at Christ's College in Christchurch, a notable institution that helped shape his athletic development.

1.2. Play Style and Nickname

McKenzie is renowned for his agile and attacking play style, often initiating dynamic runs and showcasing exceptional evasive skills. He is also a highly effective goal-kicker, frequently demonstrating his unique characteristic of smiling before attempting kicks at goal. This distinctive on-field behavior led to his popular nickname, the "Smiling Prince" (微笑みの貴公子_{Bishōmi no Kikōshi}^Japanese), which has become synonymous with his cheerful and confident demeanor. He primarily plays as a first five-eighth or fullback, positions that allow him to fully utilize his technical characteristics, including his height of 69 in ^{(175 cm)} and weight of 179 lb ^{(81 kg)}. His brother, Marty McKenzie, is also a rugby player.

2.1. Chiefs and Waikato (2015-2021)

McKenzie began his professional career by signing with the Chiefs for the 2015 Super Rugby season. He quickly became a regular starter for the team and was frequently in charge of goal-kicking duties, demonstrating his reliability and skill from the outset.

In the 2016 Super Rugby season, McKenzie played every game in the Chiefs' starting line-up at fullback. He concluded the season as the Chiefs' top try-scorer with 10 tries and ranked as the second-highest overall try-scorer in the competition, only behind Israel Folau. Additionally, he was the second-highest point-scorer with 199 points, comprising 10 tries, 43 conversions, and 21 penalty goals, surpassed only by Beauden Barrett of the Hurricanes. His strong performance continued into the 2017 Super Rugby season, where he led the charts for carries, metres gained, and defenders beaten. He also ranked within the top three for clean breaks and total points scored. In 2018, McKenzie was recognized as the SANZAAR Player of the Season for the third consecutive year, underscoring his consistent high performance.

In April 2019, McKenzie sustained a torn ACL during a Super Rugby match against the Blues at FMG Stadium Waikato. This severe injury prevented his participation in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. After a period of recovery, he made a successful return on February 8, 2020, starting at fullback for the Chiefs in their 25-15 victory over the Crusaders. Later in 2020, McKenzie was selected for the North Island team to compete in the North vs South rugby union match at Sky Stadium. He delivered an outstanding performance, kicking 100% and scoring 15 points, in addition to scoring a try and setting up several others.

The 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season saw McKenzie kick off with exceptional form, scoring tries in the Chiefs' opening matches against the Highlanders and the Crusaders. He delivered an inspiring performance away against the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium, which ended the Chiefs' record-breaking 11-match losing streak. The following week, he scored the winning try against the Blues in the final minute, securing a 12-8 victory for the Chiefs. After a bye week, McKenzie slotted a historic match-winning penalty from around 164 ft ^{(50 m)} in the first-ever golden point extra time in New Zealand rugby, defeating the Highlanders 26-23 at Forsyth Barr Stadium. He continued his clutch performances by kicking another winning penalty in the dying minutes to beat the Crusaders 25-23 at home, playing at first five-eighth and kicking at 100%, outperforming incumbent All Black first-five Richie Mo'unga. The subsequent week, he kicked another game-winning penalty from 148 ft ^{(45 m)} in the 84th minute to defeat the Hurricanes 26-24 at home. He moved back to fullback in this match, kicking 6 of 7 attempts and contributing 16 of the Chiefs' 26 points. The Chiefs finished the regular season in second place but lost to the Crusaders in the final. McKenzie concluded the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season as the top point-scorer with 111 points.

In the 2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition, McKenzie started at fly-half in the Chiefs' opening two victories against the Western Force and the Brumbies. However, in the 22nd minute of their match against the Queensland Reds, he received a red card for a high tackle on halfback Tate McDermott, resulting in a three-game suspension.

2.2. Japan Rugby League One (2021-2022)

Following his successful stint with the Chiefs, McKenzie signed with Tokyo Sungoliath in the Japan Rugby League One competition. He made his official debut in Japan on January 8, 2022, starting against Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo in the opening round of the 2022 season. Tokyo Sungoliath finished as runners-up in the 2022 season, losing 18-12 to Saitama Wild Knights in the final. During his time in Japan, McKenzie played 14 matches, scoring 218 points, including 7 tries, showcasing his consistent performance in a new league.

2.3. Return to New Zealand Rugby (2022-present)

After his season in Japan, McKenzie re-signed with New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs. In November 2022, he made two appearances for the Barbarians against Bath and Harlequins.

In his first season back with the Chiefs in 2023, McKenzie was instrumental in their 31-10 victory over the Crusaders in Round One. In Round Five against the Waratahs, he celebrated his 100th game for the Chiefs, starting at fullback. In a Round 6 clash against the Blues, McKenzie contributed 10 points as the Chiefs achieved six consecutive wins before entering their bye week, maintaining his significant impact on the team's success.

3.1. Youth and Māori All Blacks

McKenzie's international journey began with the New Zealand Under-20 squad, where he participated in the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship. In five games, he scored 1 try, 7 conversions, and 2 penalties. He also represented the Māori All Blacks, starting at first five-eighth against the touring British and Irish Lions in Rotorua on June 17, 2017. The Māori All Blacks lost the match 10-32, with McKenzie playing until the 67th minute before being replaced by Ihaia West.

3.2. All Blacks Debut and Early Activity (2016-2018)

On May 29, 2016, McKenzie was named in New Zealand's 33-man All Blacks squad for the June Test series against Wales. Although he was part of the training camp, he did not play during the series due to Israel Dagg's return from injury. He was initially excluded from the All Blacks' squad for the 2016 Rugby Championship but was later called up as injury cover for winger Waisake Naholo. On October 1, 2016, McKenzie made his international test debut, coming off the bench in the 48th minute as a replacement for Ryan Crotty during New Zealand's 36-17 victory over Argentina in round five of the Rugby Championship. On the 2016 All Blacks Northern Hemisphere Tour, following the All Blacks' first-ever defeat to Ireland, he made his starting debut at fullback in the team's 68-10 win over Italy, playing the full 80 minutes.

Despite an outstanding Super Rugby campaign with the Chiefs in 2017, McKenzie was not selected in the initial All Blacks squad for the Pasifika Challenge against Samoa and the three-test British and Irish Lions series, with Jordie Barrett being preferred. However, he was recalled to the team following Ben Smith's concussion in the first test, although he did not get any game time against the Lions. With Jordie Barrett ruled out for the remainder of 2017 due to shoulder surgery and Ben Smith taking a sabbatical, McKenzie received increased game time at fullback. In a 54-34 win over Australia on August 19, 2017, McKenzie scored his first try for the All Blacks from a pass by Rieko Ioane. His performances against Australia solidified his position as a regular starter for the All Blacks, and he played every single Rugby Championship test at fullback in 2017. Following a strong performance against Argentina in Buenos Aires on October 1, 2017, where he scored a try and set up All Blacks captain Kieran Read for the opening try, McKenzie earned the Man of the Match award. He received this honor in two consecutive tests, winning it again the following week in the 25-24 win against South Africa, where he also scored another try. McKenzie's try in the second test against South Africa meant he finished the 2017 Rugby Championship as the third-highest try scorer in the competition with four tries. His excellent form from the Rugby Championship continued into the 2017 end-of-year tests, with strong defensive displays against Australia and France, culminating in good performances in wins over Scotland and Wales.

In 2018, McKenzie was selected for the All Blacks squad for the June Test Series against France. In the first test, he made an immediate impact off the bench, scoring a try from a 197 ft ^{(60 m)} break and assisting Ngani Laumape minutes later. In the second test, McKenzie came off the bench in the 10th minute to replace the injured Beauden Barrett, delivering a mixed performance but playing well enough to earn a start in the third test against France. In that match, McKenzie scored 24 points, including 2 tries and setting up others, while kicking 7 of 7 goals, contributing to the All Blacks' 3-0 series sweep. McKenzie did not get any starts during the 2018 Rugby Championship, coming off the bench for the first four tests. He was then sent home from Argentina for a family bereavement and was replaced by Richie Mo'unga for the subsequent match against the Springboks. Despite limited opportunities, playing a total of 106 minutes throughout the Championship, McKenzie performed well. He earned a chance to start at fullback in the third Bledisloe Cup match in Japan during the northern tour, producing an outstanding performance by combining with Beauden Barrett to steer the team in a 37-20 win over the Wallabies. McKenzie was retained at fullback for the remainder of the All Blacks' northern tour matches, delivering a fine showing against England, where he scored the All Blacks' sole try in their 16-15 victory at Twickenham Stadium. He also started at fullback in the 16-9 defeat to Ireland in Dublin.

3.3. Injury and World Cup Absence (2019)

Due to the torn ACL he suffered during the Super Rugby season, McKenzie was not considered for selection in the 2019 Rugby World Cup squad, a significant setback in his career.

3.4. Return from Injury and Continued Contribution (2020-present)

After his substantial role for the Chiefs during Super Rugby Aotearoa, Damian McKenzie was named in the 2020 All Blacks squad. He had limited game time, primarily coming off the bench due to the continued partnership of Mo'unga and Barrett at fly-half, with only one start against Australia. He also played limited minutes off the bench in matches against Argentina and Australia.

McKenzie was included in the All Blacks' 36-man squad for the 2021 Steinlager Series. He was picked at fullback for the first test against Tonga, where he scored the team's first try in a dominant 102-0 victory. McKenzie was also named in the squads for the two tests against Fiji, both of which the All Blacks comfortably won. He was later named in the 36-man squad for the 2021 Rugby Championship. He started at fullback in the first match against Australia, scoring a try and contributing to the All Blacks' 33-25 win. One week later, he again started at fullback against Australia, where the All Blacks secured a 57-22 victory; notably, McKenzie executed a 187 ft ^{(57 m)} long penalty kick in this game. This win also sealed the Bledisloe Cup for New Zealand.

In 2022, McKenzie made two appearances for the All Blacks XV during their Northern Tour, playing against the Ireland Wolfhounds and the Barbarians at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In 2023, McKenzie commenced his international year by playing the full 80 minutes in Round 1 of The Rugby Championship against Argentina. He did not play again until Round 5 against Australia, where he played 48 minutes. McKenzie was then named in the All Blacks squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He did not feature until Round 2 against Namibia, where he played the full 80 minutes and scored two tries. He came off the bench in Round 4 against Italy, playing 17 minutes and scoring one try, and then played the full 80 minutes in Round 5 against Uruguay, scoring two tries. He was named on the bench in the quarter-final victory against Ireland but did not get any time on the field. He played 25 minutes off the bench in the semi-final against Argentina and appeared for 6 minutes off the bench in the World Cup final against South Africa.

In 2024, McKenzie emerged as a consistent starter at fly-half. He played the full 80 minutes in both the first and second tests against England. He also played the full 80 minutes against Fiji in San Diego, USA. In Round 1 of The Rugby Championship, McKenzie played the full 80 minutes in the All Blacks' 38-30 loss to Argentina. The following week, he started for the All Blacks and played 50 minutes in their 42-10 win against Argentina in Round 2. McKenzie then played the full 80 minutes in both Round 3 and Round 4 matches against South Africa.

4.1. Team Honours

• Ranfurly Shield Holder: 2015-2016 (with Waikato)
• NPC Champion: 2021 (with Waikato)
• Rugby Championship / Tri Nations Champion (with New Zealand All Blacks): 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021
• Bledisloe Cup Winner (with New Zealand All Blacks): 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021

4.2. Individual Honours

• SANZAAR Player of the Season: 2018
• 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa Top Points Scorer: 111 points
• 2022 Japan Rugby League One Best 15 (Fullback)
• 2022 Japan Rugby League One Top Point Scorer