Damian McKenzie seals piece of history as Chiefs run riot over Moana Pasifika in Rotorua

Damian McKenzie has cemented his status as one of the greatest Chiefs players of all time, breaking the franchise’s all-time try-scoring record while also bringing up 1500 Super Rugby points in a commanding 62-17 win over Moana Pasifika at Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday night.

The All Blacks fullback and first five-eighths scored his 43rd try for the Hamilton-based franchise early in the second half, surpassing the record previously held by former Waikato and New Zealand wing Sitiveni Sivivatu. For a player who has spent his entire Super Rugby career in Chiefs colours, it was a deeply personal milestone — one met with a roar from the Rotorua crowd.

McKenzie did not stop there. By the time the final whistle sounded, he had also reached the 1500-point mark in Super Rugby for the Chiefs — an extraordinary achievement that has been accomplished by only one other New Zealand player. All Blacks legend Dan Carter scored 1708 points for the Crusaders during his time in Christchurch. McKenzie now sits in similarly rarefied company.

Between his two tries and six conversions, McKenzie contributed 22 points on the night. It was a performance that encapsulated everything that makes him so dangerous — his ability to finish in the backfield, his composure with the boot, and his knack for being in the right place at the right moment.

The match itself was a comprehensive dismantling of Moana Pasifika, a Pacific Islands side that has been finding its feet in Super Rugby but was simply unable to keep pace with the Chiefs’ clinical attack on this occasion. The home side crossed the line ten times over the course of the 80 minutes, with four players — McKenzie, wing Kyren Taumoefolau, second five-eighths Quinn Tupaea, and hooker Tyrone Thompson — each helping themselves to doubles.

Taumoefolau was a standout performer throughout, combining pace and power to repeatedly trouble the Moana Pasifika defence. The young Chiefs back has been building towards a breakout season, and his brace against a physically robust Pacific Islands side demonstrated his ability to perform against quality opposition.

Tupaea, playing at second five-eighths, was another danger with ball in hand. His two tries came from the sort of sharp, incisive running lines that have made him a fixture in the Chiefs’ backline over recent seasons. Hooker Thompson also touched down twice, both times from close range, rewarding the forwards’ effort at the breakdown and in the lineout.

Flanker Samipeni Finau and utility back Josh Jacomb rounded out the Chiefs’ try-scoring with one each, ensuring the scoreboard reflected just how thorough the victory was.

Moana Pasifika did manage three tries of their own through Solomon Alaimalo, Abraham Pole, and Miracle Faiilagi, with Patrick Pellegrini converting one. But they spent long stretches of the match on the back foot, and the final margin of 45 points told its own story.

For the Chiefs, the result sent them to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table, with their season continuing to build momentum. The franchise, based in Hamilton and drawing players from across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions, has long been considered one of the competition’s powerhouses, though the Chiefs have at times gone through lean stretches despite fielding talented squads.

McKenzie himself has been central to the Chiefs story for more than a decade. First emerging as a teenager of enormous promise, he quickly established himself as one of New Zealand rugby’s most exciting talents. His ability to play multiple positions in the backline — he has featured at fullback, first five-eighths, and second five-eighths throughout his career — has made him an invaluable asset. He has been a regular member of All Blacks squads across World Cup cycles and has represented New Zealand at both sevens and fifteens level.

His try-scoring record for the Chiefs is a reflection not just of individual brilliance but of longevity and consistency across many seasons. To amass 43 tries for a single franchise requires being available, in form, and effective across hundreds of matches. That McKenzie has done so while also accumulating 1500 points through conversions, penalty goals, and drop goals underlines the full breadth of his contribution to the franchise.

Sitiveni Sivivatu, whose record McKenzie eclipsed, was a devastating finisher during his time at the Chiefs. The former All Black wing was renowned for his acceleration and footwork on the wing, and his place in Chiefs history had long seemed secure. McKenzie’s achievement in passing him is a genuine landmark for the franchise.

For Chiefs fans, Saturday night’s win will be remembered not just for the final score but for the moment McKenzie planted the ball down for his 43rd franchise try — a small piece of history in a stadium that has hosted many moments of Waikato rugby pride.

RNZ Sport and 1News reported the result and McKenzie’s record-breaking feat, with the NZ Herald also detailing how McKenzie passed Sivivatu to claim the try-scoring record outright.

If you saw the game or have a view on McKenzie’s place in Chiefs and New Zealand rugby history, share your thoughts in the comments below.