All Blacks v Wales: Richie Mo’unga intent on repaying the faith in Cardiff
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By Liam Napier in Bath
All Blacks v Wales – 3.10am, Sunday
Five weeks after the rug was pulled from his comeback with a near season-ending setback, Richie Mo’unga appears poised to regain the All Blacks playmaking reins in Cardiff. To say he’s itching to
return could be the understatement of the year.
Mo’unga was set to be handed the keys to drive the All Blacks in their Bledisloe Cup double last month only to tear his calf in training. That plot twist forced the All Blacks to rethink their plans, and left Mo’unga working overtime to save his season.
“It’s an eight-to-10-week injury so I’ve done well to get to this point but with soft tissue and calves you’ve got to stay diligent,” Mo’unga tells the Herald in Bath, where the All Blacks are based before travelling to Cardiff. “I’ll be available this week hopefully.”
With Ruben Love ruled out for the year, the All Blacks pivoted from allowing Mo’unga the time to run the cutter against the Wallabies and for their four Nations Championship assignments in the United Kingdom.
Such a run of fixtures would have been invaluable in Mo’unga’s reintegration.
Instead, with his two leading No 10s sidelined, Dave Rennie switched Damian McKenzie from fullback to first five-eighths for the three victories against the Wallabies and Scotland last week. And with Beauden Barrett slotting into the backfield, that axis continued the All Blacks attacking prowess.
Wales, though, presents the ideal opportunity to promote Mo’unga back into the test fold – and potentially hand Josh Jacomb his test debut from the bench.
Having fast-tracked his recovery, he’s craving another chance.
“Oh bro, it would mean heaps. It meant a lot to put on the jersey the first time after I got back but it’s been a ride. I’d be super grateful and pumped up.”
Mo’unga’s highly anticipated return from Japan hasn’t gone to script. First, he had to feature for Canterbury before belatedly joining the All Blacks on the greatest rivalry tour to South Africa as an injury replacement. His comeback there began with a mid-week appearance against the Lions, and he then started the fourth test loss to the Springboks in Baltimore.
On a winter’s day in Bath, on his first northern tour in four years, Mo’unga is outwardly understated in his personal ambitions but desperate for a successive run of games to regain his groove.
At the time of his setback insiders say he had rekindled his spark to carve up at All Blacks training but such a disjointed, disruptive return home creates challenges.
“It hasn’t been smooth,” Mo’unga reflects. “I’ve played four games while being back in New Zealand since June – two for Canterbury. That’s unusual for me because I’ve been pretty good with injuries.
“It’s frustrating not being able to get some good rhythm but it’s given me a lot of time to be in the environment to learn our game and how Rens wants us to play.
“To lose the last test in Baltimore was tough but the more you play the better you get. I haven’t been able to string matches or minutes together and get those lessons that I would like by playing. I’m prepping myself for when that opportunity comes.
“Even though I haven’t been playing I’ve taken pride in my role to help the boys prepare, as well as getting myself right.”
The investment the All Blacks made in Mo’unga’s recovery – taking him to Australia while injured and selecting him in the northern tour squad despite not being available for Scotland – signals his importance to the ever-evolving playmaking picture and the desire to harness his talent with next year’s World Cup in mind.
Without that support, Mo’unga wouldn’t be here. He’s now intent on repaying that faith.
“I was really grateful they kept me in Auckland post my injury and took me to Australia. That’s a big reason why I’m here because the effort they put into my rehab and assessing me and making sure I was giving myself the best chance.
“I really respect Rens for giving me that chance because it would’ve been easy to send me home and say good luck. Now I’m hoping I can make the most of it on the field.”
Mo’unga is relishing the prospect of seizing the All Blacks’ renewed attacking strike in pristine conditions under the Cardiff roof.
“It’s awesome, I really enjoy it. It’s how you grew up watching the All Blacks play. It suits the team and personnel we have. The other part of that is the balance, having the DNA of spreading the ball but being clinical in the way we play and our kicking which is part of rugby at the moment.”
This weekend will determine the complexion of Mo’unga’s involvement for the final three tests of the season.
Rennie could switch McKenzie back to first five for England at Twickenham next week or retain Mo’unga for the remainder of the year.
“I want to contribute to the team and make it really seamless, continuing the good job that Damian and the others have been doing. They’ve been driving the game, the attack, the kicking. Nothing too measurable for me. I’m just really wanting to get some game time.
“I’ve been lucky to not have too many setbacks but as you grow older you grow with the game and you know you have to be adaptable. I’m not really someone who is solely focused on myself. I want the team to be successful and no matter where I sit, I still have a job to do.”
After a frustrating, stifled homecoming, Mo’unga doesn’t need to deliver a magic carpet comeback against Wales.
Staying fit will gradually enhance his claims.
Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
Listen to Elliott Smith’s live commentary on Newstalk ZB Sport and iHeartRadio, or join the Alternative Commentary Collective on iHeartRadio and Radio Hauraki.
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