All Blacks pivot Damian McKenzie could follow Jordie Barrett’s lead and take up a short-term deal in the northern hemisphere.
McKenzie has been linked to French club La Rochelle, the team coached by former Ireland great and Crusaders assistant coach Ronan O’Gara.
According to Rugby Prime in France, McKenzie is set to move to La Rochelle on a short-term deal next year, after the 2025 Rugby Championship.
McKenzie, 29, is contracted to New Zealand Rugby through 2025, and has been All Blacks coach Scott Robertson’s first-choice first five-eighth this season.
Should he commit to La Rochelle, he would follow in All Blacks midfielder Barrett’s steps.
Barrett, who re-signed with NZR through 2027 in April, will join Irish club Leinster after the All Blacks’ northern tour in December, ensuring he will miss the 2025 Super Rugby season with the Hurricanes.
McKenzie has played 126 matches for the Chiefs since 2015, despite missing the 2022 Super Rugby season while on a sabbatical with Japanese club Tokyo Sungoliath.
Sabbaticals are far from rare for veteran All Blacks these days, but two in the space of four years is a different story.
McKenzie shapes as an ideal replacement for fellow Kiwi and former Blues pivot Ihaia West, whose contract expires at La Rochelle the end of 2025.
Alipate Source: Stuff.co
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