McKenzie’s move would come hot on the heels of a standout 2021 season with the Chiefs, where he played a central role in dragging the club out of their record-equalling 11-match losing streak, making a habit of producing late matchwinning plays as the team went on their rags-to-riches journey to the final. Scoring the last-gasp try to clinch victory against the Blues in Hamilton in round five, it was McKenzie’s accurate boot and cool head which then sealed wins in the three matches after, when he sunk clutch penalty goals against the Highlanders in a golden-point game in Dunedin, then against the Crusaders and Hurricanes in Hamilton.