**Damian McKenzie’s Staggering Try-Saving Tackle Leaves Super Rugby Crowd Stunned**
A moment of pure defensive brilliance from All Blacks star Damian McKenzie has set the rugby world talking, after a try-saving tackle for his side, the Chiefs, left players, referees, commentators, and an entire stadium in utter disbelief.
The spectacular incident took place during a high-stakes Super Rugby semi-final between the Waikato Chiefs and the ACT Brumbies, with both teams desperate to secure a spot in the competition’s final. Australian full-back Tom Wright looked for all the world as if he was certain to score, racing toward the left-hand corner as the Brumbies pressed in attack.
Despite Wright’s pace and determination, McKenzie chased him down, exerting just enough pressure to make the outcome uncertain. As the pair slid towards the line, the crowd watched what they believed was a certain try – with many onlookers, including the commentators and even the referee, thinking the ball had been grounded.
In an extraordinary feat of athleticism and game awareness, the 30-year-old New Zealander managed to wedge his left hand under the ball at the crucial moment and simultaneously prevent Wright from exerting downward force. The intervention was so subtle and skilful that it took the eagle-eyed Television Match Official (TMO) to call for a review.
Play came to a halt as referee Nic Berry went to the TMO check, with fans holding their breath in anticipation. The video showed convincingly that Wright had failed to ground the ball for a try, thanks solely to McKenzie’s quick thinking and dexterity. Once announced, the “no try” decision elicited a mixture of astonishment and raucous applause from the stands. Berry himself could not suppress a laugh at the sheer audacity of the play.
Commentators, too, were left reeling. Stan Sport’s Sean Maloney described it as “incredible,” while others hailed it as potentially the best try-saving tackle witnessed in the modern game. One co-commentator pointed out the distance McKenzie had covered to make the challenge, saying, “He made sure Tom Wright wasn’t going to step him on the inside—he went straight for the ball and got his arm underneath. That’s just sensational.”
This singular act of defensive heroism wasn’t the end of McKenzie’s impact on the match. The All Blacks fly-half accumulated a prodigious 22 points himself, his boot converting six penalties and two tries, helping the Chiefs secure an emphatic 37-17 victory over the Brumbies and guaranteeing their place in the Super Rugby final.
After the match, a modest McKenzie reflected on the team’s performance, praising their composure under pressure. “The Brumbies came out hard, just as we knew they would,” he said. “I’m proud of how we stuck to our game plan. The forwards set up a solid platform, and when we entered the 22, we managed to come away with points almost every time.”
Notably known for his attacking prowess, McKenzie has now demonstrated his value in defence, bolstering his bid to claim the starting fly-half position for the All Blacks, particularly with Richie Mo’unga’s absence as he continues his career in Japan. McKenzie, who previously had a stint playing in Japan in 2021, has recently extended his contract with New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs until the end of the 2029 season.
For rugby enthusiasts, McKenzie’s tackle serves as a vivid reminder that decisive moments often occur as much in defence as in attack. As the Chiefs prepare for the Super Rugby final, their supporters will be hoping for yet more moments of magic from one of the most versatile players in the game.
The combination of athleticism, quick thinking, and sheer will displayed during McKenzie’s game-changing tackle will no doubt be remembered as one of rugby’s great defensive interventions, underscoring the fact that sometimes a single moment is enough to shape the narrative of an entire season.