Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read has claimed that Damian McKenzie is currently the best fly-half in the world after some impressive performances since shifting from full-back.

The playmaker began the Test season as Dave Rennie’s first choice 15 but injuries to Ruben Love and Richie Mo’unga have seen him swap roles.

After Love was ruled out of the rest of the year and Mo’unga picked up a calf issue ahead of the Bledisloe Cup, McKenzie was handed the reins for the two Wallabies clashes.

He shone in both as New Zealand secured successive victories over their trans-Tasman rivals to retain the trophy for another year.

The Chiefs star then kept his place for the Scotland clash as he guided his side to a 43-21 triumph at Murrayfield to continue their perfect Nations Championship campaign with 20 points from 20 available.

McKenzie-Barrett combination

Beauden Barrett has taken the full-back role in his absence and those two have dovetailed superbly over the previous three games.

Barrett has touched down four times in their past couple of Tests to take his try tally to 50 in 148 internationals.

That prompted Read to say on the GBRANZ podcast: “He’s been a revelation, especially when people have been writing him off.”

Both of Barrett’s scores against Scotland came from a McKenzie assist with those two linking well since the 35-year-old return to the XV.

“McKenzie to Barrett, right? I truly believe in the connection between those two. Beaudy Barrett had a great game because of selection; again he’s been picked and McKenzie’s been picked at 10”, Wallabies great Jeremy Paul, who joined Read on the show, said.

“Selection policy, culture throughout the team – they look happy.”

McKenzie was regularly used at fly-half by Rennie’s predecessor, Scott Robertson, but it never clicked.

That has changed under the new head coach, who initially wanted him at 15 but was forced to shift 31-year-old when Love and Mo’unga were sidelined.

Better than Sacha

It is a decision which has paid off handsomely for the All Blacks and their boss with Read claiming that he is currently better than the Springboks superstar Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

“McKenzie has been the best first five around the world. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu had an amazing game against Italy but, over the last month, DMac’s the best first five,” he said.

“It just allows Beaudy to [thrive]. Those two have been playing together for 10 years, they play golf every week, they’re best of mates and you can’t underestimate that connection part.

“That first try when Will Jordan’s floating outside of McKenzie, you think it’s going to go to Will Jordan, he’s the guy, but bang, cut-out ball and Beaudy just knows that line for fun, and comes out of nowhere and scores the try.

“Beaudy just brings that experience and understanding, but DMac’s making them both look good.”