Dave Rennie makes huge Richie Mo’unga admission ahead of Springboks opener
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Not yet.
Richie Mo’unga is unlikely to feature in the All Blacks’ opening Test against the Springboks following his return to the New Zealand squad.
The 56-cap fly-half will arrive in South Africa on Friday after being called up as an injury replacement for Billy Proctor, but head coach Dave Rennie has revealed he does not intend to rush Mo’unga straight back into Test action.
Instead, the 32-year-old could make his return against the Lions in Johannesburg, three days after the opening Springboks Test at Ellis Park.
“He’s a player that is good enough to apply pressure for selection at some stage,” Rennie said.
“The thinking is that it wouldn’t be in the first Test, but he might get game time against the Lions to start pushing a claim there.”
Rennie also made it clear that Mo’unga’s arrival does not automatically change the pecking order at fly-half, with Ruben Love retaining the backing of the All Blacks boss.
“I spoke to all four flyhalves before I had even spoken to Richie. I just wanted them to understand,” he said.
“Obviously Richie has been signed back to New Zealand Rugby, and my job as a head coach is to pick the best players available.
“At the moment it’s been Ruben’s jersey, and he’s going well, so we’re happy with that, but it will be good competition. All four 10s are really supportive of the decision.”
Mo’unga has not played for the All Blacks since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, spending the last three seasons in Japan before returning to New Zealand and regaining his eligibility through Canterbury.
He now joins Love, Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett and Josh Jacomb among the All Blacks’ fly-half options.
New Zealand face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday before attention turns to the opening Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on August 22.
