All Black Damian McKenzie to make NZ rugby return through Southland club game

Damian McKenzie is expected to make his New Zealand rugby return through a club game in Southland on Friday night.

The All Black star left New Zealand at the end of 2021 for a stint with Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath in the new Japan Rugby League One competition.

Although the 27-year-old has re-committed to the All Blacks, Chiefs and Waikato through till the end of 2023.

He has back in New Zealand and is expected to be a surprise inclusion in the Woodlands team to play Star at the Les George Oval on the outskirts of Invercargill on Friday night.

READ MORE:
* Stephen Perofeta extends time in New Zealand for another three years
* Super Rugby Pacific report cards: How the Kiwi teams rated and where to next
* All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie re-signs with New Zealand Rugby till 2023

His older brother Marty McKenzie confirmed if all paperwork was cleared Damian would line up for Woodlands.

The last time the two brothers had played together was at Super Rugby level with the Chiefs, although they have never played for Woodlands together.

Marty, who plays first five-eighth for Woodlands, said he was excited about the prospect of playing alongside Damian again.

The McKenzie family is entrenched in the club situated in the small rural township of Woodlands, although Damian hasn’t yet played for the club’s top team.

However, whenever the All Blacks have held club days in camp, McKenzie has aligned himself with Woodlands wearing the blue and red jersey.

McKenzie has played 40 tests for New Zealand since his debut in 2016.

His cameo is timely for Woodlands. The defending champions need two competition points out of the game against Star to book a place in the July 16 Galbraith Shield final and have a crack at three straight Southland club titles.

Friday night’s game is scheduled to kick-off at 7pm.