“15. I think he’s playing 15.” Kieran Read on Damian McKenzie at the 2027 World Cup.
Damian McKenzie has just run two Bledisloe Tests from 10. Kieran Read still has him at fullback for the World Cup.
“So I don’t think he’s he’s not our starting first five,” Read said on The Good, The Bad & Rugby Australia & New Zealand, published on Tuesday 20 October.
Read, the former All Blacks captain and No 8, was answering host Andy Rowe. Justin Marshall had just praised McKenzie’s two starts at 10, won 50-19 at Eden Park and 43-21 in Sydney.
Comments are open: McKenzie at 10 or at 15 for a World Cup quarter-final?
Damian McKenzie at fullback is Read’s World Cup plan
Read’s answer turns on Richie Mo’unga’s fitness.
“So I think if [Richie Mo’unga] comes back fit … then he will slot in and I think you put [D-Mac] to fullback because if that’s where he’s going to be playing, you’re talking about ultimately, you know, our best team.”
On 8 October, with Mo’unga already injured, Read said Mo’unga sees the field in a way the All Blacks miss at 10.
Justin Marshall’s warning about static ball in the UK
Marshall rated McKenzie’s series highly. He said McKenzie had lifted his standing a long way, then added that the conditions had suited him.
“the two [Bledisloes] where he started at 10 is the perfect storm for [D-Mac] which is to be operating with more possession and front foot ball”
The All Blacks won quick ruck ball in both Tests. McKenzie ran onto it with the Wallabies defence still getting set.
Marshall, the former All Blacks scrum-half, then named what changes in November.
“it’s a different scenario when you’ve got static ball potentially go to the UK and it’s a bit it’s wetter you know the opposition a bit more niggly at the breakdown”
On that ball, he said, “your kick strategy and your game management is a lot more tested.”
Read wants November played like a quarter-final
The All Blacks play Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday 7 November, then Wales on 14 November and England at Twickenham on 21 November. The Nations Championship finals follow at Twickenham from 27 to 29 November.
Read wants that run treated as a rehearsal.
“I remember when we were going the years before World Cups for the All Blacks when you go up to the north and you play four games, you know, tough games, big crowds. … you kind of do like a mini World Cup, four four games away in a row. Play like you’re playing quarterfinals, you know, put that in your mindset and play your best team.”
His reasoning was the calendar: “we don’t have much time, right? So, do that.”
Richie Mo’unga’s calf decides it
Mo’unga tore his calf at All Blacks training before the Eden Park Test, 1News reported on 8 October. His return depends on how he progresses, and no date has been set.
Read accepted that his plan rests on that calf.
“So, I think DMAC’s our fullback. So, but that’s only going to happen if I think Richie is fit to go on tour and play. And we’re hearing that he might not be for the first couple of [weeks].”
Without Mo’unga, Read keeps McKenzie at 10. “So, you know, without him, then yes, I think you you keep [him] at at first five,” he said.
That leaves McKenzie at 10 for Murrayfield unless Mo’unga is cleared before 7 November.
Jeremy Paul spotted when McKenzie plays best
Jeremy Paul, the former Wallabies hooker, looked at who was around McKenzie in his good games.
“coincidentally every time [D-Mac] had a great game, [Beauden] Barrett was at 15.”
Beauden Barrett scored two tries from fullback in Sydney and earned a 9 in this site’s Sydney ratings. Jordie Barrett was a late withdrawal with a calf injury, so Paul pointed to the scrum-half instead.
“when you’ve got a decision maker like that, nine like [Roigard] taking a lot of decisions away from you”
Read’s plan would hand the biggest of those decisions to Mo’unga.
The McKenzie discussion starts at 36:30 of the episode.
Your turn: McKenzie at 10 or 15?
Read wants Mo’unga at 10 and McKenzie at fullback. Marshall says the UK in November will show what McKenzie is at 10 on slower ball.
For a World Cup quarter-final, where does McKenzie start? Vote 10 or 15 below.
Frequently asked
Where will Damian McKenzie play at the 2027 World Cup?
Kieran Read wants him at fullback, with Richie Mo’unga at 10 if Mo’unga is fit. McKenzie started at 10 in both 2026 Bledisloe Tests.
Is Richie Mo’unga injured?
Mo’unga tore his calf at All Blacks training in October and missed both Bledisloe Tests. His return date has not been set.
When do the All Blacks play in November 2026?
Scotland on 7 November, Wales on 14 November and England on 21 November. The Nations Championship finals follow at Twickenham.
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