Damian McKenzie has re-signed with the Chiefs for the next two years.

The lure of playing first five-eighth just wasn't going to be enough to shift Damian McKenzie from his new home at the Chiefs.

The Super Rugby sensation turned down offers from other Kiwi franchises, understood to be the Blues and Crusaders, in favour of signing on in Hamilton for a further two years, till the end of the 2018 campaign.

After making his debut for the Chiefs last year, McKenzie has taken the competition by storm this season, despite playing in his more unfamiliar position of fullback, as Aaron Cruden calls the shots at No 10.

McKenzie, whose tenaciousness belies his 1.75m, 85kg frame, is a decent shot of making the All Blacks for the June series against Wales. He leads several Super Rugby stats categories - points (120), tries (seven), defenders beaten (41), metres (724) and is top equal for carries (120) - playing a massive role in the Chiefs' excellent form which has them at the top of the New Zealand conference and the standings.

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McKenzie has been touted for bigger things ever since he showcased his brilliance as captain of Christ's College. The Invercargill-born talent represented the New Zealand Schools Barbarians in 2012 then the New Zealand Schools in 2013, before joining Waikato and the Chiefs development programme in 2014. That year he also starred for the New Zealand under-20s at the world championship and won the New Zealand Age Group Player of the Year award.

And after his stunning 2016 form, McKenzie certainly had other teams queuing up for him. A move would have opened up the chance to play in his preferred position of No 10. While the Hurricanes and Highlanders have the quality of Beauden Barrett and Lima Sopoaga in their ranks, the Blues and Crusaders - where McKenzie's brother Marty signed this year - were ready to lay out the welcome mat.

But McKenzie said the Chiefs' environment and quality coaches were key factors in what was "an easy decision in the end".

"There was opportunities elsewhere, and it took a lot of thought, but I was leaning towards the Chiefs most of the time," he said.

"Just with what they've done for me so far in my career and how they've helped me out. And obviously I'm really enjoying my footy here at the moment, with the likes of the players we've got around us, and the environment's one of a kind. So I'm really happy with my decision."

Coach Dave Rennie was also a very happy man that his star pupil would be staying on.

"Obviously we're pretty stoked, he's been in scintillating form, but on top of that he's a bloody good man, he's a real character within the group, the boys love him, so he fits in nicely here," Rennie said.

And despite being behind Cruden for the No 10 jumper, McKenzie has already been able to stamp his mark with goalkicking duties - trademark smile and all - and has been able to develop his game by wearing No 15.

"I'm really enjoying playing fullback here at the moment, and obviously we have a licence to do what we want at times, it's a gameplan where I'm allowed to get into that first receiver role at times," said McKenzie, who has had fine tutelage from Cruden and Stephen Donald.

"Learning off them is pretty awesome, you know, players you used to look up to when you were younger, and now to be playing alongside them's pretty cool."

Rennie said it was credit to McKenzie, and the environment, for him sticking round when he was playing out of his preferred position - not that Rennie thinks fullback shouldn't be his spot.

"It doesn't mean he won't play 10 here, but I think he's an absolute natural 15, when you look at the skill set required back there - he's just great under the high ball, he's a real dangerous broken field runner, he's got a great kicking game off both feet, gets into first receiver a lot, and a brave defender."

While McKenzie said he hasn't heard from the All Blacks coaches, it shouldn't be long before he does.

"You've always got higher goals, and like I've said the whole year so far, I'm trying to take it week by week, and if anything comes after Super it'd be a massive bonus.

"I don't want to get too far ahead of myself and think too much about that."

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