Richie Mo’unga made a return to New Zealand rugby after a spell in Japan, and his return to a black jersey has been the topic of much conversation for All Blacks fans in recent months.
Mo’unga has spent the last three seasons playing in Japan and therefore has become subject to New Zealand Rugby’s strict overseas eligibility rule.
This rule requires players to be contracted and, importantly, playing in a New Zealand-based competition to be eligible for All Blacks selection. By playing for Canterbury against Auckland in the opening round of the NPC, he would therefore become eligible for Dave Rennie to select.
Mo’unga had been offered a long-term contract by the NZR, which would have loosened these restrictions, but he rejected the contract for a shorter-term 18-month deal.
Richie Mo’unga against Auckland
Mo’unga entered the One NZ Stadium field with just under 30 minutes to go in the game and got off to a shaky start, dropping a high ball from a box kick. Canterbury also lost their lead in the next 15 minutes after an incredible Auckland try.
Canterbury scored a try to bring it back level, and Mo’unga had a very makeable kick, which slid right of the post. The scores were level going into the final minutes. Reigning champions, Canterbury were rumbling forward with the ball, and Mo’unga slipped into the half-back position. He lifted the ball and after some duking around the base of the ruck, managed to plot a route to the post and secured victory for Canterbury in the opener.
Mo’unga is still a few games away from being back to the form that could see him return to the All Blacks set-up, but it would be interesting to see if Dave Rennie would give him an opportunity, should one of his four number 10s pick up an injury in the warm-up games for the Greatest Rivalry tour.
