Aaron Cruden knows all about being a Chiefs and All Blacks star, and he believes that Damian McKenzie’s deal could prove crucial for both teams.
The 29-year-old put pen to paper on a new contract that will keep him tied to New Zealand Rugby until at least the end of 2029.
That takes in both the Rugby World Cup and the British and Irish Lions series, which is a huge boost for the governing body.
Positive for NZR
It has been a good start to 2025 for the governing body, who had already convinced Scott Robertson to do a U-turn on his views on the country’s eligibility laws before McKenzie then agreed to re-sign.
Cruden was duly delighted for everyone involved that the deal went through, one which could benefit all parties.
“For me, knowing Damian as well, it’s awesome to lock that in. I suppose there are always possible question marks of the length of time, but I briefly caught up with him and he told me he had locked it in for another four years,” he told Sport Nation’s Beaver & Guy show.
“I just said: ‘Congratulations’, because that’s brilliant security for him. Obviously, it’s awesome for the Chiefs fans, and the All Blacks fans as well.”
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McKenzie confirmed that there was interest from Japan in bringing him to Asia, but the Chiefs star ultimately desires that All Blacks jersey.
He can play at either fly-half or full-back, but he appears set on that number 10 shirt, having played the majority of New Zealand’s 2024 campaign in that position.
Head coach Robertson gave him plenty of starts at pivot, but he ended the year as second choice behind Beauden Barrett.
All Blacks fly-half battle
The playmaker will look to regain it in 2025, starting in the mid-year internationals when they face Six Nations champions France in a three-Test series.
Some reckon that both players can fit into that All Blacks backline, with Barrett at 10 and McKenzie at 15, but Cruden certainly reckons that the latter is gunning to be New Zealand’s main decision-maker.
“A lot goes into it. There have obviously been times in the past where it hasn’t fallen NZR’s way but this one is a big win,” he added.
“There would have been no shortage of opportunities for Damian to look at, but I think that probably shows his determination to really continue to stamp his claim on the All Blacks jersey.
“There’s a lot of debate about whether that’s at 10 or 15… but the more I think he can solidify that 10 jersey at the Chiefs, then that will let them know that’s where he wants to be playing, and that will flow into the All Blacks environment too.”
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