Damian McKenzie

In the 22nd minute of their encounter with the Queensland Reds, McKenzie was red carded for a high shot on halfback, Tate McDermott.

The Chiefs playmaker was struck with a 3 game suspension for his actions.

McKenzie signed with Tokyo Sungoliath in the Japan Rugby League One competition.

Tokyo Sungoliath finished runners up in the 2022 season after they lost 18-12 to Saitama Wild Knights in the final.

He finished the season playing 14 matches and scoring 218 points which included 7 tries.

Following the season McKenzie re-signed with New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs.

In his first season back with the Chiefs, McKenzie guided them to a 31-10 win over the Crusaders in Round One.

The following week he kicked another game winning penalty in the 84th minute from 45 metres to beat the Hurricanes (26-24) at home.

He moved back to fullback and kicked 6 from 7 and scored 16 of the Chiefs 26 points.

The Chiefs ended the regular season 2nd place and lost to the Crusaders in the Final.

McKenzie finished 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa as the top points scorer with 111 points.

Damian McKenzie started at 10 in the Chiefs opening 2 games of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, beating the Western Force and The Brumbies.

Damian Sinclair McKenzie (born 20 April 1995) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays fullback or First five-eighth for Waikato in the Bunnings NPC competition and Chiefs in super rugby.

McKenzie was born in 1995 in Invercargill.

He received his secondary education at Christ's College in Christchurch.

McKenzie has received attention for his trademark smile before attempting a kick at goal.

In Round Five against the Waratahs, McKenzie played his 100th game for the Chiefs when he started at fullback.

Since the beginning of the 2015 season, McKenzie has been contracted to the franchise who compete in the Super Rugby competition.

He has become a regular starter and is often in charge of goal kicking.

McKenzie has played 40 tests for New Zealand since his international debut in 2016.

McKenzie began his professional career playing for Waikato in the Bunnings NPC.

McKenzie has also previously represented the Chiefs in Super Rugby, he is their all-time highest points scorer.

In 2016, McKenzie played every game in the Chiefs' starting line-up at fullback.

He finished the 2016 Super Rugby season as the Chiefs top try-scorer and the overall second highest try-scorer with 10 tries, behind Waratahs outside-back Israel Folau.

He also finished the season as the second highest point-scorer with 199 points (10 tries, 43 conversion goals and 21 penalty goals); behind Hurricanes First Five Eighth Beauden Barrett.

McKenzie ranked top of the charts for carries, metres and defenders beaten in the 2017 Super Rugby season, while also ranked in the top three for clean breaks and points scored.

In 2018, Damian McKenzie was the SANZAAR Player of the Season for the third year running.

On 15 April 2019, McKenzie was diagnosed with a torn ACL suffered against the Blues at FMG Stadium Waikato in the Super Rugby competition.

Due to the injury, McKenzie was not able to participate in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

On 8 February 2020, Damian Mckenzie was named at fullback for the Chiefs in their 25-15 victory over the Crusaders after recovering from his ACL injury.

In 2020, Damian Mckenzie was chosen for the North Island to play in the North vs South rugby union match at Sky Stadium.

Mckenzie kicked 100% off the boot, scoring 15 points, while also scoring a try and setting up another couple.

Damian Mckenzie kicked off 2021 with a hiss and a roar, scoring tries in the Chiefs opening games of their Super Rugby Aotearoa season against The Highlanders and the Crusaders.

Mckenzie then put on an inspiring performance, playing away at Sky Stadium against the Hurricanes to end the Chiefs record-breaking 11 match losing streak dating back to pre Covid 19 lockdown.

He then scored the winning try against the Blues in the last minute the following week, the Chiefs snatching the victory 12-8.

Following the bye week, Mckenzie slotted a historical match winning penalty against the Higlanders - from around 50m, in the first ever golden point extra time in New Zealand rugby.

Again stealing the victory, winning 26-23 at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

After three close wins, McKenzie then did it again.

Knocking over the winning penalty in the dying minutes to beat the Crusaders (25-23) at home to a raucous crowd.

He played at first five eight where he kicked at 100%, and out played incumbent All Blacks first-five, Richie Mo’unga.