All Blacks legend insists Richie Mo’unga ‘doesn’t own’ fly-half jersey after Ruben Love injury
Ruben Love and Richie Mo'unga, inset, in action for the All Blacks.
Former All Blacks star Jeff Wilson insists that Ruben Love’s injury does not make Richie Mo’unga an automatic pick in the starting line-up.
Head coach Dave Rennie will name his team to face the Wallabies in the first match of the Bledisloe Cup later this week where the Crusaders star will be the heavy favourite to take the 10 slot.
Love took the role for the opening six Tests under Rennie before Mo’unga was handed the reins for the final match of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series in Baltimore.
The Hurricane was expected to return to the run-on side for the Australia internationals, but he was absent from the wider training squad due to injury and it has since been revealed that he will miss the rest of the year.
All Blacks playmaking balance
It therefore potentially offers Mo’unga an opportunity to nail down his place in the XV with the 32-year-old and the inexperienced Josh Jacomb the only out-and-out 10s in the squad.
Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett are of course options for the All Blacks boss, but Rennie preferred both of them at full-back in South Africa. In fact, McKenzie has started all seven Tests at 15 so far in 2026.
Wilson and former New Zealand fly-half Aaron Cruden discussed the playmaking situation on The Breakdown, with the latter kicking off proceedings.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Josh. Richie Mo’unga and Joshy, they get opportunities now just to go out there and keep impressing through their preparation first and foremost, and then the way they can go out there and deliver,” Cruden said.
“This is why we re-signed him (Mo’unga); to bring him back for opportunities like this.”
‘Devastating’ setback as All Blacks lose Ruben Love for the remainder of the international season
Wilson has a slightly different view, however, claiming that Mo’unga is not a guaranteed selection for the All Blacks at fly-half.
“We signed him to be in a competition to wear the All Blacks 10 jersey. They gave him the opportunity in Baltimore, showed some really nice signs, and Dave Rennie was happy with some of things he saw,” he said.
“I don’t think he owns the 10 jersey for the rest of the year, he has to perform otherwise Damian McKenzie might come in and get a chance.”
Sir Graham Henry’s view
As Wilson stated, moving McKenzie to fly-half would be the most likely option should Mo’unga falter, but Rennie could also hand Jacomb his first Test chance.
Sir Graham Henry would be involved in that decision in his role as an All Blacks selector, and he has been impressed by the 25-year-old’s development.
“I think he’s got the ability to handle the pressure, I think he’s got a good knowledge of the game, communicates well and he had a very positive [South Africa] tour,” Henry told Sport Nation.
“He’s come back and played for Taranaki, played Hawke’s Bay last weekend and I thought he was pretty outstanding really. He’s a young guy making his way and he’s making good progress.”
