Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has challenged first-five Damian McKenzie to grab his All Blacks opportunity this year with both hands.
With incumbent Richie Mo'unga moving to Japan for three seasons, the fight for the All Blacks No.10 jersey between McKenzie and Beauden Barrett will be a highlight over the next few months.
Barrett is currently playing for Toyota in Japan but will return to New Zealand in time for the July Tests against England.
“The door’s open so he’s got to go kick it down,” McMillan told 1News of McKenzie's big chance.
McKenzie returned to the Chiefs pre-season training camp in Hamilton on Monday and is eager to put last year's disappointments behind him.
The 28-year-old featured in last year's 25-20 loss to the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific final in Hamilton as well as the one-point loss to the Springboks in the World Cup final in Paris.
The number 10 is enjoying returning to pre-season training with the Chiefs. (Source: 1News)
And, after attending a two-day All Blacks camp with new head coach Scott Robertson in Auckland recently, McKenzie has no doubt what is expected of him.
“As All Blacks we’ve got to set an example in our Super Rugby teams and play like All Blacks,” he said.
The Chiefs kick off their season by hosting the Crusaders at Waikato Stadium on February 23.
McMillan, without experienced All Blacks Sam Cane (Japan), Brodie Retallick (France) and Brad Weber (France), said he was looking to build on the Chiefs' leadership group this season. He is set to announce a new captain early next week.
“I think it's really important how we model our leadership group as a collective so people don’t have to take on too much responsibility,” he said.
“There’s some new voices and we haven’t given much direction, seeing who puts their hand up in the leadership space,” said McMillan.
The Chiefs continue their pre-season when travelling to play Japan League One side Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights on February 4 in the new Cross Border Rugby pre-season competition.
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