‘It’s with my agents now’ – Richie Mo’unga makes stunning British & Irish Lions revelation
Could Richie Mo'unga face the British & Irish Lions?
Richie Mo’unga could be in line to face the British and Irish Lions on Australian soil later this year after reportedly being invited to feature for the ANZAC team.
The All Blacks star, who is currently playing for Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan Rugby League One, has not played for New Zealand since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Speculation about a return home to play under new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has been frequent, but Mo’unga remains committed to playing for the Brave Lupus.
ANZAC side invite
However, a brief return does look on the cards as according to a RugbyJP.com report, the classy fly-half has been invited to play for an ANZAC side against the touring Lions.
The game will take place at Adelaide Oval on July 12 and the report says that Mo’unga was asked about his availability by the co-head coach of Toyota Verblitz, Ian Foster.
It states that former All Blacks scrum-half Aaron Smith and former Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper are also expected to feature for the trans-Tasman team in the fixture.
“Yes, Foz has spoken to me about the game,” the former Crusaders star has revealed.
“I’m really interested in playing, it’s with my agents now.”
Mo’unga, who was recently linked with an international switch to Tonga, is very much in demand and admits the next step regarding the ANZAC approach is to talk to his club.
“I’ll have to ask Toshiba for permission to play next,” he continued.
Exciting prospect
“I miss the big Test match setting, the big arenas. This will be the closest I’ll get to it while I’m in Japan.”
Mo’unga has played a pivotal role at Toshiba Brave Lupus since he arrived at the club, helping them lift the Japan Rugby League One title last season in front of 56,000 fans.
They currently sit third in the standings this season on 56 points after 15 matches with Kubota Spears (57) in second position as Saitama Wild Knights lead the table on 60.
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