Rugby: Chiefs' new star out on his own ... thanks to the squad

Damian McKenzie made an impressive debut for the Chiefs against the Blues. Picture / Getty Images

After dream debut, McKenzie praises support from team, including the man he replaced

His efforts against the Blues left little doubt that Damian McKenzie is a young man full of belief in his own abilities.

But a few days after his dream Super Rugby debut, the rookie was at pains to point out the role the rest of the squad played in his performance, from the men on either shoulder to the one carrying the water.

McKenzie shone after stepping into the starting role for the Chiefs' season-opener on Saturday night, immediately finding his feet at Super Rugby level and guiding his side to an important away win.

What McKenzie also found was a fully-functioning unit into which he could slide seamlessly.

The 19-year-old was never required to attempt anything outside his capabilities. He was left to play his natural game - and produce spectacular results.

"I didn't play too bad but I think the people around me helped me out a lot," he said. "I was happy with my performance on Saturday night but the other guys made my job a hell of a lot easier."

When McKenzie looked in one direction, he saw a halfback with whom he had established a connection after a season playing provincial rugby together at Waikato.

And if he turned his head the other way, he found in Sonny Bill Williams a player who often acts as a first five's best friend.

"You just focus on your own job and everyone else does their job around you," McKenzie said.

"It was awesome just being able to slot in and having Sonny outside me made a lot of difference.

"All the backs, to be fair, there's so much experience. And it was good playing alongside [Brad Weber] at halfback - I've played a lot with him at ITM as well."

With such a solid support base, McKenzie was able to lead the team in a manner that earned comparisons to Aaron Cruden, the player whose jersey he was occupying.

Cruden could very well take back that No 10 jersey for Friday's night's clash with the Brumbies but, after acting as the waterboy last weekend, the All Black had a front-row seat to assess how his protege performed.

"I was rapt for him," Cruden said. "It was just good to see him go out there and play his natural game. He really backed himself and I thought the guys around him did a great job to allow him to do that.

"He made all his tackles, he was everywhere around the field and, as a first five and a leader, that's what you need to do."

Cruden has undoubtedly been telling McKenzie as much in the weeks leading up to the season. Sharing a position, a physique and a tenacity in the tackle, McKenzie hardly has far to look when seeking advice.

"Having Cruds around is awesome," he said. "He's really knowledgeable as he has obviously played at a world class level.

"So to have him around and get advice from him is helpful, and it's just good being around the calibre of players we've got here."

Coach Dave Rennie thought McKenzie could soon find himself belonging in that calibre, suggesting that, for all their similarities, the youngster may even pip Cruden for pace.

"I don't know about that," said McKenzie. "He's got some speed off the mark, so it would be interesting."

Damian McKenzie
• Age: 19.
• Born: Invercargill.
• School: Christ's College.
• Made five appearances and scored 25 points for New Zealand in the 2014 under-20 World Cup.
• Made 10 appearances and scored 88 points for Waikato in the 2014 ITM Cup