McKenzie set to debut off the reserves bench for All Blacks

21‑year‑old Damian McKenzie is set to make his debut off the reserves bench for the All Blacks tomorrow morning.

With Lima Sopoaga on the bench as back‑up to Beauden Barrett, McKenzie will cover fullback.

When the Southland‑born player was brought into the squad for the three Wales tests in June, coach Steve Hansen suggested a debut would be some way off, and perhaps not until the November tour.

But Hansen and his fellow selectors, who are keen to shuffle their resources for this test and the one next week in Durban against South Africa, have decided that McKenzie is ready now.

The Pumas will host the All Blacks at 10.10am tomorrow while the Springboks will host the Wallabies at 3.05am.

Source: NZ Herald