'Wiser and older’: Mo’unga lifts the lid on long-awaited All Blacks return
In the early hours of the morning in Japan in 2025, Richie Mo’unga found himself watching a Six Nations match with karaoke music playing in the background.
That’s when he realised just how much he missed being on the international stage, and his desire to put on the All Blacks jersey again intensified.
A year later, and the 56-capped flyhalf will return to the arena to face the Lions in the fourth and final franchise match for New Zealand in the Greatest Rivalry series.
It’s a moment Mo’unga has been working towards since last donning the black jersey in the 2023 World Cup final in France.
“It’s really special to be back; it’s been a long time. I’m just really grateful to be back in this environment,” he said.
“I’m just thankful to Rens [Dave Rennie] and the coaching management for giving me this opportunity and also just having trust that I can also do a job as well.”
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Mo’unga spent the last three years playing for Japanese outfit Brave Lupus in League One.
He was one of their standout players, albeit they were eliminated in the quarterfinals this season after suffering a 3-26 loss at the hands of Kubota Spears.
Mo’unga believes his time in Japan has made him a better and wiser player.
“There are many things in my game that I’ve changed,” he explained.
“Japan gives me a lot of perspective, a lot of different experiences that I haven’t experienced in New Zealand, and you just don’t get that in New Zealand in terms of even just the game itself.
“I’ve had to lead from a different angle, lead as a player but also think as a coach in Japan. I come back wiser and a little bit older, as some of the boys have already mentioned.
“I knew I missed it, but coming back in you realise, ‘geez, this is a really special circle to be in,’ and I’m really savouring every moment and not going to take these things for granted.”
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Mo’unga returns at a time when the All Blacks appear to have nailed down their starting flyhalf in Ruben Love.
Although he wants to compete for the 10 jersey, the experienced campaigner is happy to help the youngster while learning his own role in the new environment.
“I’ve been so impressed with how he’s played this season as a Hurricanes player and also as an All Black.
“Coming into this team, it’s not about trying to get back into the team jersey; it’s really nailing my role at this moment.
“My role at this stage is getting to grips with how the team plays, the new environment, meeting coaches for the first time and giving a helping hand where I can.”
The 32-year-old played himself into contention after featuring twice in the NPC for his club, Canterbury.
During that period, Mo’unga also kept a close eye on the All Blacks Test matches, picking up some aspects of their game plan even before joining the camp.
He said getting up to speed with the game plan has been a seamless process.
“It was pretty quick getting up to speed. I was really observant while not even being in camp over the style and the brand they want to play.
“And then, also, while being in here, I’ve got so much help to get up to speed with where things are at and game plans and what the team wants to do on Tuesday.”
One of the reasons Mo’unga returned to the international stage is to put himself in contention for a place at next year’s World Cup in Australia.
However, he still needs to prove himself, and that process starts on Tuesday against the Lions at Ellis Park, a challenge Mo’unga says he is ready for.
“This game was always coming for me.
“There was always going to be a return; I wasn’t sure when it was, but mentally, I had prepared for a return in the black jersey, and I’m ready.
“It’s important you play the game, not the occasion and just go out and be free, and that’s really important for me on Tuesday.”
