University’s opponents will be hoping Marty McKenzie’s try-scoring cameo against the Brumbies will be enough to convince Todd Blackadder the Canterbury Metro Cup competition is below the Crusaders would-be first five-eighth in future.

McKenzie was certainly a class above while University swamped winless Burnside 51-19 in division one fifth round action on Saturday as the Christchurch-educated and Taranaki-based playmaker posted some more impressive numbers in his second outing for the club.

The 23-year-old, who made his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders in Canberra before the bye week, did not quite match the 31 point-haul he accumulated when launching his Metro Cup campaign against Belfast on April 16, but he did exceed that afternoon’s try tally with three of University’s nine five-pointers at Burnside Park.

With Richie Mo’unga ensconced as the Crusaders No.10, McKenzie, who was hampered by a hamstring injury when he arrived back in Christchurch, is competing with Ben Volavola as first five-eighth/fullback cover for the remainder of Super Rugby.

University assistant coach Stephen van Gruting obviously wishes McKenzie well in that regard, though his fullback – who has contributed 52 points including five tries – has naturally been instrumental in University leading the competition on points differential from New Brighton.

“It’s great having him. He obviously lights up when he gets ball in hand, he’s a pretty hard fella to handle.

“Two games, he’s scored five tries, that’s pretty good,” said an understated van Gruting.

He was also not overly encouraged by University’s progress thus far, noting Burnside and a similarly struggling Belfast have conceded the majority of their points.

“The first five weeks have been good for us but the next three or four weeks are going to be a lot more challenging,” van Gruting said, as Linwood, Lincoln University and New Brighton line up on the schedule.

Title favourites Lincoln College dropped from first to third on the standings after an admittedly depleted line-up followed up a stalemate with Linwood with their first Hawkins Cup loss for two years – a 23-21 defeat to HSOB.

The competition’s leading points scorer Jarred Percival landed a brace of penalties inside the final nine minutes – from 40-metres into the breeze and then from an acute angle – to secure victory at Lincoln.

However, HSOB’s joy was tempered by what appears to be a serious knee injury in the dying stages for Crusaders squad member and Canterbury loose forward Reed Prinsep.

Linwood’s comprehensive 31-14 victory over Marist Albion may have disciplinary repercussions for the winners after lock Tepusa Thomas was red carded by referee Chelsea Gurr shortly before full-time at Linfield Park for foul play.

Thomas is alleged to have struck a player who was prone on the ground. Marist Albion captain and lock Ross Kennedy received a yellow card for retaliating..

At a blustery Rawhiti Domain, New Brighton paid tribute to grieving coach Scott Pawson after observing a minute’s silence to mark the death of his mother Kathy, by comfortably beating Sumner 28-8.

New Brighton secured maximum points with the last play of the game when replacement hooker Zeke Dyson rounded off a 75-metre counterattack to notch their fourth try.

Belfast, meanwhile, were blown away by a rampant Sydenham at Rugby Park – their rare and morale-boosting win over Burnside in the previous round was soon put in context by a 77-0 hammering.

Sydenham racked up 11 tries including a treble for new captain and blindside flanker Misi Lamositele.

The only favourable statistic for Belfast was an 11-5 penalty count as Sydenham relentlessly built on a 25-0 halftime advantage despite emptying their bench.

Shirley also suffered the indignity of being held scoreless as Christchurch cruised to a 48-point victory at Burwood Park after leading 19-0 at halftime.

Christchurch nailed eight tries while Shirley’s defensive effort around the fringes was disadvantaged by the sin binning of lock Hayden Mitchell and No.8 Junior Taia.