Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett kind of booted themselves OUT of the All Black starters in contrasting ways.
Barrett was probably the man of the match with his sparkling running. But Barrett's goalkicking was abysmal and he even hoofed the ball dead while trying to peel off too much territory from a penalty. Barrett has a casual approach to the ball, at odds with the trend for complex routines. The results, unfortunately, make him look like a part-time duffer.
But at least he was taking the shots unlike Cruden, Dan Carter's heir apparent. Rennie got it dead right though. McKenzie's goalkicking essentially won this game for the Chiefs.
McKenzie is the future for the All Blacks. I'm absolutely convinced of it. Highlander Lima Sopoaga is a decent goalkicker but his attack only simmers compared to McKenzie's rapid boil.
The 21-year-old McKenzie turned a match of erratic standards with a couple of scintillating moments, and stunningly good goalkicking.
Barrett should know the Wellington stadium like the back of his hand, but it looked like he was kicking with the back of his foot and he got the boot during the match.
McKenzie, in telling contrast, nailed his goals including a couple from the sideline. One of them bent back beautifully, as if on remote control in the tricky wind conditions.
McKenzie is playing in a sort of dual pivot system under Rennie but first five-eighths is his true position.
He could revolutionise the All Black backline, and send the rest of world rugby into even more of a tail spin against the untamed might of the New Zealand side.
I suspect Steve Hansen has already seen enough to know that McKenzie is the future.
Cruden and Barrett keep proving they are not up to the job on goalkicking alone.
Cruden was drawn into too much defence on Saturday night and was hampered by a pack that scrummed like they were milling around a buffet table. He had a poor game.
Not long ago, Cruden was the next great thing but time waits for no one in rugby these days. Cruden deserves some loyalty at the Chiefs. But give McKenzie a team to run, and say hello to a superstar.
GOLDEN OLDIES
The match in Wellington ended with the Chiefs down to 14 men and Golden Oldies scrum rules being used. This was pivotal to the result yet unless I missed something, the TV commentators didn't let us know why. It was a shambolic way to end a big game. In a remarkable irony, it actually helped the Chiefs cling on for victory because their scrum was getting smashed.
SAVEA MADE RIGHT CHOICE
Ardie Savea has made a wise choice, opting to remain with the Hurricanes in 15s rather than take up the chance of playing Sevens at the Olympics. In another blow to the credibility of sports such as rugby, tennis and golf being included in the five ringed circus, Savea has done an Adam Scott and put his real career first. At the moment, Savea looks like a brilliant bench option for the All Blacks and has wisely blocked anyone else's chance to jump up the queue.
If Savea is getting a nod from above, it will be a quiet one. Put it this way: Sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens will not be amused.
JULIAN SAVEA FAILS TO DELIVER
A crazy tip? Julian Savea will get the chop from the All Blacks to play Wales on current form. His loose forward brother Ardie is full of fire, but the big left wing did not hit the ground in great shape this season and on his lethargic effort against the Chiefs is nowhere near test condition.
