Crusaders turn to kicking guru for Mo’unga

Editor

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - APRIL 15: Richie Mounga of the Crusaders looks to kick the ball during the round eight Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and the Jaguares at AMI Stadium on April 15, 2016 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

All Blacks skills coach Mick Byrne has been in contact with the Crusaders to help iron out some issues with Richie Mo'unga's goalkicking.

The young fly-half has settled in well to the fly-half role at the Crusaders this season whilst at the same time notably struggling off the tee, with a success percentage of around 60 percent.

The Crusaders know that Mo'unga's work off the tee will be vital for this weekend's Super Rugby fixture against the Brumbies.

Therefore assistant coach Brad Mooar has been in touch with Byrne to assess how to develop Mo'unga's kicking game moving forward.

"I know Brad has been talking to 'Mick the Kick' and the conversations that Brad has been having [with Mo'unga] is exactly the same as the information that Mick has been talking about," Crusaders assistant coach Dave Hewett told Stuff.

"We are looking at how we can take it to the next level. It is something we are conscious of, and are working on, but it is a skill-set that takes time.

"It's not for want of trying or technical execution. It is a skill-set that is built-up over years. We want some world-class goalkickers but we want them to help themselves, it is not just going to happen for them.

"If you look at how the South Africans manufacture their kickers, it is with hours and hours of technical [work] and they get the results in the end. It will just take time for it to happen."