Analysis: The Chiefs got the job done in round one against the Crusaders but they didn't look the same without their first-five, writes Patrick McKendry.
The Chiefs’ victory over the Crusaders may have brought up more questions than answers about the “smart mouthguard” concussion technology which resulted in several confused-looking players heading to the sideline.
But it did confirm again the quality and importance of their first-five Damian McKenzie.
As Clayton McMillan and company mull over the 33-29 win at Waikato Stadium, which featured a 19-point comeback by the visitors and two late penalties from Josh Ioane which won it for the Chiefs, the wellbeing of McKenzie - who left the field in the 43rd minute - may be top of mind.
McKenzie left the pitch with what McMillan described afterwards as bruised ribs after a big tackle in the first half and his departure coincided with the Crusaders scoring three tries in 24 minutes – two from fullback Chay Fihaki – as the visitors threatened to steal it after going to the break 27-10 down.
McKenzie’s replacement Ioane had his moments, including making several breaks and kicking those two three-pointers, but the little No.10’s leadership and game-breaking ability from deep was missed by the home side.
“It came through our fellas up front being very direct and accurate,” coach McMillan said of the Chiefs’ first-half momentum.
“That allows Damian and the rest of the backline to showcase their talent. Yeah, he didn’t miss a trick, but he got a good one on him and he’s hurting but he’ll bounce back.
“He just got smacked in the ribs. He was sore at halftime but felt confident and wanted to go out there but shied away from a little bit of contact which obviously indicated he wasn’t 100%. As much as we wanted to win it there’s no point in breaking him at this stage.”
A hungry Chiefs pack containing second-rowers Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Tupou Vaa’i will be a handful this season but a fit McKenzie may be a pre-requisite if they are to win their first title since 2013.
Quinn Tupaea’s head knock, after he hit an opposition player’s hip in attempting to make a tackle, was obvious but less so was Anton Lienert-Brown’s, the Chiefs midfielder having to leave the field with eight minutes remaining due to a notification sent by his smart mouthguard to the sideline.
Known as “instrumented mouthguards”, they have been made mandatory in elite competitions by World Rugby after years of studies and trials, and as part of a global rollout that began with the Six Nations competition this month.
A chip in the mouthguard records a high-impact collision but Lienert-Brown’s dismay at being removed at a crucial time of the match – the Chiefs were still trailing with eight minutes remaining – for an assessment was one of the main talking points afterwards.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, “some Australian players have expressed dissatisfaction with the rushed introduction of the compulsory mouthguards, which have been with clubs only for a few weeks and have led to some players struggling to breathe given they’re slightly chunky”.
McMillan said any measures which could improve the players’ safety should be welcomed – a sensible response – but, as the season progresses, more untimely alerts and substitutions could be problematic.
SHARE ME