Ex-All Black: Springboks show why Richie Mo’unga signing is a ‘no-brainer’
Springboks fly-halves Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard with an inset of All Blacks playmaker Richie Mo'unga.
Former All Blacks hooker James Parsons has pointed to how the Springboks use their fly-half depth to emphasise the importance of getting Richie Mo’unga back to New Zealand.
Last week it was confirmed that Mo’unga, who has been plying his trade in Japan for Toshiba Brave Lupus since the conclusion of the 2023 World Cup, will return to New Zealand on an 18-month contract in June next year.
However, he will only be eligible for selection for the November internationals later that year because of NZ Rugby’s regulations.
Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett have been the go-to selections for Scott Robertson since he took over the head coach reins from Ian Foster in 2024, with Mo’unga‘s arrival set to shake up the All Blacks‘ fly-half picking order ahead of Australia 2027.
Mo’unga has to earn his place again
While the playmaker has been re-signed with the view of featuring at the World Cup in two years’ time, his former teammate Bryn Hall is not convinced that he will just be ushered right back into the squad and will have to work his earn his spot.
“He still has to come back and perform. The likes of Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie will have two and a half years to play for the All Blacks at international level before Richie comes back,” Hall said on the Aotearoa Rugby Podcast.
“So he is not warranted to come back and then be the first choice number 10 for the All Blacks; he has to come back and earn his place.
“He will have to play in the NPC before the end of year tour, so he has a lot to do but at the same time we have to take a step back and understand that Razor has wanted him, it’s been talked about since he’s been there… he has wanted to open up conversations of bringing back All Blacks in who play in Japan or having a clause and bring players back.
“So we can’t underestimate that he wants Richie Mo’unga there, but it is not a foregone conclusion that he’s going to come back and be in the team. What it does is add depth.”
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Having options at fly-half
Two-cap All Blacks front rower and former Blues hooker Parsons agrees, but highlighted how Mo’unga’s return can be beneficial for New Zealand.
He believes that the game has changed from the Dan Carter era, where one man was entrusted with being the first-choice number 10, as teams need depth and variety in the position.
He singled out South Africa’s success with adopting such depth at fly-half with Rassie Erasmus using the likes of Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Jordan Hendrikse in the position since the start of the 2024 international season.
“A lot of selections in international rugby, and South Africa have shown it the most, gone are the days of a fixed 10 in Test rugby,” Parsons said.
“I get the sense that it’s really shaping teams for opposition, and who’s going to be the best person to create that and to add someone of Richie’s skillset to that ability to bring in is a no-brainer.
“Beauden and Damian will welcome the challenge, all athletes welcome the challenge to prove that they are the one. But I still think it’s not going to be like it was previously, where Dan Carter is going to start every Test.
“The dynamics, evolution and innovation needed in international rugby are changing so quickly. They all have different strengths and weaknesses that present the opportunity to utilise all three.”
He continued: “I’m opening my mind to the way Rassie is thinking that some players suit some oppositions better than others, but we’ve seen it with Ireland, England and France – there isn’t just a set 10 anymore. A lot of the northern hemisphere nations, in particular, are rotating their 10s, and we’ll see it with Joe Schmidt and the Wallabies too when they have a full complement of 10s to pick from.
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“It’s sort of trending in the same direction, and I think Richie coming back presents a genuine opportunity to make us like really hard to preview… that can clutter the opposition’s week because you don’t know who you are coming up against.”
While Hall agreed with Parsons, he said it is difficult for a player to come in and out of the team like that.
“It’s hard for a player because you’re a competitor and you want to be able to be the guy that starts, and it’s the reps and feel, being able to go week-to-week and gain confidence of being able to do that,” he said.
“But you look at the South Africans and the number 10s and they’ve got it right because it doesn’t matter who’s starting at 10 or whatever position it may be, they’ve been able to perform.”
