WHILE SEEING BIG ball carriers smash through would-be tacklers is a thrilling sight for rugby supporters, there’s also something wonderful about watching one of the smaller players on the pitch bring down a giant.
81kg Damian McKenzie provided one of the tackles of the year so far with last weekend’s effort on Fijian powerhouse Nemani Nadolo, whose reported weight ranges from 125kg right up to 130kg.
The Chiefs fullback gets in low on the flying Nadolo, plants his head on the right side of the tackle and looks to wrap both his arms as he drives his shoulder into the contact.
While Nadolo’s momentum means McKenzie can’t get a complete wrap of his arms around the Crusaders wing, he does upend him and sends him over the touchline to prevent the try.
It’s brave from the Chiefs playmaker of course, but the tackle also highlights the value of good coaching in the basics of the game, such as tackling low.
There may be a difference of over 40kg [more than six stone] between the players, but McKenzie shows that technique can trump mass.
This try saver from the highly-promising 20-year-old helped the Chiefs to a 27-21 win over the Crusaders on the opening weekend of Super Rugby.
The42 Six Nations Show / SoundCloud
