All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has managed to call up number 10, Richie Mo’unga; to the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa.
The move comes after the NZRU have cleared the chance to call Mo’unga up as a Billy Proctor replacement, who was sent home after sustaining a shoulder injury last Saturday against the Stormers.
Mo’unga had initially been unavailable for selection for the squad due to ineligibility as he spend three season away in Japan.
Mo’unga was offered a long-term contract, which would have provided him clearance to play. After declining a long-term deal and signing a short term deal with Canterbury and the Crusaders, it was confirmed that the 10 would be required to play in the NPC to earn eligibility for an All Blacks call up.
Mo’unga was due to start by Canterbury in their Ranfurly shield defence against Bay of Plenty on Saturday, but will now be replaced.
McKenzie knock: the final straw
On Tuesday, the All Blacks defeated the Sharks 54-0, but in doing so lost Damian McKenzie to an apparent ankle knock.
McKenzie did play on for half an hour after the injury was sustained and scored the second try.
McKenzie has been first choice full-back under Rennie and the injury doubt may have been part of the consideration to name Mo’unga in the squad as a Proctor replacement, who is a centre by nature.
