Dave Rennie reveals his Greatest Rivalry masterplan for Richie Mo'unga
REACTION: All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has shed some light on his decision to call up flyhalf Richie Mo’unga for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour.
Mo’unga will arrive in South Africa on Friday, a day before New Zealand face the Bulls in Pretoria.
The clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium will be their final preparation match before taking on the Springboks in the first Test on August 22.
The veteran flyhalf has been included in the squad as a replacement for Billy Proctor, who suffered a shoulder blade injury against the Stormers in Cape Town last Friday.
Mo’unga will join the All Blacks after turning out for Canterbury in two NPC matches, having returned to New Zealand to make himself eligible for national selection.
The last time he played for New Zealand was during the 2023 World Cup final in France.
When explaining the decision, Rennie said it was the most logical replacement, and he’s confident they have enough midfield cover in Proctor’s absence.
“We had a look from a midfield point of view to see if we had enough cover,” he told reporters at the All Blacks basecamp in Johannesburg.
“And obviously with Rieko [Ioane], we picked him as a winger who could cover centre, and Emoni [Narawa] is versatile as you saw on the weekend; he played fullback, but he’s played 13 as well, so we feel we’ve got enough cover there.
“By the time Richie arrives, the first three provincial games will be gone, and we felt him coming in and immersing himself and getting his head around our structures and details will be very beneficial.
“He’s a player that is good enough to apply pressure for selection at some stage. 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.”
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Mo’unga’s inclusion in the All Blacks squad has been a hot topic in recent weeks.
His inclusion means Rennie now has five flyhalves in his squad, with Ruben Love, Josh Jacomb, Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett and Mo’unga all in contention.
While Rennie welcomed Mo’unga’s experience, he made it clear that Ruben Love remains his first-choice flyhalf.
“I spoke to all four flyhalves before I had even spoken to Richie. I just wanted them to understand.
“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.”
Despite signing an 18-month contract with New Zealand Rugby, Rennie is adamant that Mo’unga will still have to earn his spot in the team.
Rennie also confirmed that captain Ardie Savea has arrived in South Africa and will start preparing for the opening Test.
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