Damian McKenzie excited about cool challenge of Beauden Barrett

Damian McKenzie is relishing the prospect of going toe‑to‑toe with the man he describes as "obviously the best flyhalf in the world", when his Chiefs side meet the Hurricanes in tonight's Super Rugby quarterfinal in Wellington.

The star playmaker's battle with Beauden Barrett will be a mouth‑watering feature of the sudden‑death contest in a type of 'master versus the apprentice' scenario between national team‑mates.

Barrett ‑ the 27‑year‑old All Blacks' first‑choice first five‑eighth and the incumbent two‑time World Rugby Player of the Year ‑ and in his eye-line will be 23‑year‑old McKenzie ‑ a work‑in‑progress pivot at both Super Rugby and international level, but whose electric talents hold the key to breaking a game wide open.

The last time Damian McKenzie visited Westpac Stadium, in round nine in April, he was under an injury cloud with a hip problem, but ended up playing in a 25‑13 defeat.

The Hurricanes will host the Chiefs at 7.35pm tonight.

In other Super Rugby quarterfinals, defending champions, Crusaders will meet the Sharks at 7.35pm tomorrow, the Waratahs will host the Highlanders at 10.05pm tomorrow, while the Lions face the Jaguares at 1.05am Sunday.

[Stuff.co.nz]

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