'We trusted him': All Blacks boss reveals message to Love after Mo'unga decision
REACTION: All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie had a clear message to Ruben Love around the flyhalf decision for the fourth and final Test in the Greatest Rivalry series.
Love has started all six Tests for the All Blacks this year, including the three showdowns in South Africa.
However, Rennie has now decided to go with the more experienced Richie Mo’unga for the Baltimore Test against the Boks.
It will be Mo’unga’s first Test for the All Blacks since the 2023 World Cup Final defeat to the Springboks.
“We talked about it a couple of weeks ago. Regardless of the result in Soweto – whether we came here up 2-1 or down 1-2, we were going to start Richie,” Rennie explained.
“He’s been in the environment for a while, and he’s got a really clear understanding of the game we want to play. We are keen to give him that opportunity.
“Ruben has gone really well. He’s played the first six Tests of the year, but when I spoke to him, I stressed the fact that last week was probably the biggest Test the All Blacks have played since the World Cup Final. We trusted him to run the ship ahead of probably three more experienced No.10s.
“It highlights where we see him. But we are keen to give Richie a crack, and he has prepared really well this week.”
It’s also the first time Rennie has selected a back-up playmaker on the bench in the Test series. It comes in the form of Beauden Barrett.
Rieko Ioane and Kyle Preston are the other players providing backline cover.
“We just felt that the mix was good. With Rieko on the bench, he covers midfield and outside back,” Rennie added.
“We’ve got KP covering No. 9, and it gives us a chance to have a genuine 10 and 15 cover if we lost someone.
“It’s been tough for Beauden. He sat on the sidelines for the first six Tests of the year, but he’s been phenomenal. His contribution to the group has been excellent.
“He has trained really well, and I thought he’s played really well at 15 for us, so it’s probably primarily where he will get his crack on the weekend.”
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Rennie is pleased with the playmaker depth he is building ahead of next year’s World Cup in Australia.
“Beauden is not out of the reckoning from a No.10 point of view, and obviously Damian [McKenzie] plays No.10. Between those guys we feel that we’ve got really good depth at No.10 and 15.
Richie has come in, and he has been excellent. I think if you had asked Ruben about the help he’s got, Beauden’s been great for him and Damian and Richie as well.
“For us to win, we need everyone going well. While they are competing against each other, they are also helping each other grow.
“Richie’s got a lot of experience, and Ruben has been really smart. He has been beside a lot of those guys and talked a lot of footy, and it’s good for our group.”
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