McKenzie leaves it late in Super Rugby Aotearoa thriller

April 23, 2021
2420
Ultimate Rugby

The Hurricanes appeared set to clinch just their second win of the season, only to be beaten by a last-gasp penalty on Friday.

Damian McKenzie landed a penalty after the final siren sounded to secure the Chiefs a thrilling 26-24 win over the Hurricanes on Friday.

Full-back McKenzie was on target with the match-winning kick in the 83rd minute of a see-saw Super Rugby Aotearoa clash that seemed set to yield an upset result.

Mr Clutch Damian McKenzie 🎯 #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CHIvHUR

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— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) April 23, 2021

Asafo Aumua's 68th-minute try, which was converted by Jordie Barrett, had the struggling Hurricanes on course for just their second victory of the 2021 season.

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James Blackwell and Billy Proctor also touched down for the visitors - the former doing so in the opening minute of proceedings - as the team stuck at the bottom of the standings gave their second-placed opponents a serious scare.

Chiefs managed two tries themselves through Pita-Gus Sowakula and Bryn Gatland, but it was McKenzie's trusty boot that proved crucial in deciding the outcome.

The New Zealand international landed both conversion attempts as well as four penalties, the last of which dashed Hurricanes' hopes in dramatic fashion.

Update to the latest version of the Ultimate Rugby app here

'He has been MR Clutch all year' - Brad Weber on Damian McKenzie

✅ Match winning try v the Blues
✅ Match winning penalty v Highlanders
✅ Match winning penalty v Crusaders
✅ Match winning penalty v Hurricanes

Clutch McKenzie 🙌 #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CHIvHUR pic.twitter.com/uSmJebedtC
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) April 23, 2021

55 metres out and Jordie Barrett nails it 🎯

What. A. Kick. 🚀 #CHIvHUR #SuperRugbyAotearoa

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— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) April 23, 2021