All Blacks and Chiefs back Damian McKenzie has provided a positive injury update on social media.
The versatile back picked up an ACL injury back in April, just after being selected for Steve Hansen’s 41-man New Zealand squad ahead of the Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup.
It is believed that had the injury not occurred that McKenzie would have been a shoe in to the final 31-man squad for the World Cup in Japan and most likely would have been their starting full-back having become a vital player under Hansen pre-injury.
In what is hugely encouraging news for All Blacks and Chiefs fans is that the 24-year-old, who has been regularly posting about his injury, and has now posted a video on Instagram in which he is seen sprinting, showing he is making progress in his return.
Having been initially ruled out for nine months it is great to see that he is back sprinting after only six.
In his absence the All Blacks have been using regular fly-half Beauden Barrett at full-back, bringing in Richie Mo’unga at out-half, but McKenzie’s return would be a welcome selection headache for Hansen.
It looks likely that he should be able to return for the start of the 2020 Super Rugby season and hopefully he will reach that target as fans can’t wait to see him back in action.
