Mo’unga All Blacks Call-Up: Flyhalf Replaces Injured Proctor For Springboks Tour
Posted in :
One of rugby’s worst-kept secrets was finally revealed on Thursday morning when 32-year-old Richie Mo’unga was called up to the All Blacks squad for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
The All Blacks confirmed that Mo’unga would replace centre Billy Proctor, who suffered a shoulder blade injury against the Stormers in their opening tour game. The All Blacks eventually secured a 38–21 victory after a tightly contested match that remained in the balance until the 68th minute.
The 56-Test fly-half will now have the opportunity to add to his appearance tally in the famous black jersey, having last featured for the All Blacks in their defeat to the Springboks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Under New Zealand Rugby’s strict selection policy for overseas-based players, Mo’unga gave up the opportunity to represent his country when he signed for Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan Rugby League One, which rendered him ineligible for selection.
After completing his contract in Japan, Mo’unga signed an 18-month deal with Canterbury and New Zealand Rugby, earning his first minutes in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) against Auckland on 1 August and making himself eligible for selection once again.
It must be said, however, that since Dave Rennie’s appointment as head coach, murmurs of Mo’unga returning to the fold have echoed ever so slightly around the rugby world.
“We really feel for Billy. He has had a great season, so this is frustrating for him. It is the harsh reality of our game.
“We wish him all the best with his recovery and hope to see him fit and well in time for the end-of-year tour selection,” head coach Dave Rennie said.
“Richie is the obvious choice as a replacement. His job now is to get in, learn our systems, get his head around the detail and earn the right to play.”
What will be interesting to see is how Mo’unga is utilised within the current All Blacks setup. While Mo’unga was the starting No. 10 for New Zealand at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, rising Hurricanes playmaker Ruben Love has impressed in his three Test starts in the jersey this year, helping the All Blacks to victories over France, Italy and Ireland last month.
It is expected that, barring injury, Love will start at No. 10 in the first Test.
The All Blacks next face the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday night, with the first Test against the Springboks falling a week later in Johannesburg.
Mo’unga will arrive in Johannesburg on Friday.
