All Blacks confirm Richie Mo’unga’s arrival date after Dave Rennie makes ‘obvious’ decision following latest setback
Richie Mo'unga has been added to the All Blacks squad following the injury to Billy Proctor.
Richie Mo’unga is set to represent the All Blacks for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup after being called into Dave Rennie’s squad in South Africa.
Mo’unga played Canterbury’s opening game of the NPC season against Auckland earlier this month, which made him eligible for selection once again after signing a deal to rejoin the Crusaders following three years in Japan with Toshiba Brave Lupus.
He has since donned the red and black jersey in matches against Otago and Bay of Plenty and, following an injury to centre Billy Proctor, has been called to South Africa to link up with the All Blacks squad.
Richie Mo’unga added to the All Blacks squad
Proctor started the side’s opening tour match against the Stormers but fractured his shoulder blade in the victory over the Cape-based team and has been ruled out for the remainder of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour.
New Zealand Rugby have now confirmed that Mo’unga will fill his void in the squad as preparations continue for the Test Series against the Springboks, with the Bulls next on the All Blacks‘ agenda.
“We really feel for Billy. He has had a great season so this is frustrating for him. It is the harsh reality of our game. We wish him all the best with his recovery and hope to see him fit and well in time for the end-of-year tour selection,” head coach Rennie said.
“Richie is the obvious choice as a replacement. His job now is to get in and learn our systems, get his head around the detail and earn the right to play.”
The All Blacks confirmed that Mo’unga will only arrive in South Africa on Friday, meaning he is unlikely to feature in the clash against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
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Proctor is the second player who has returned to New Zealand due to injury, as hooker George Bell suffered a setback in the first training session in South Africa and was replaced in the squad by Bradley Slater, who came off the bench against the Sharks on Tuesday.
Mo’unga earned the last of his 56 Test caps for the All Blacks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final defeat to the Springboks.
Updated All Blacks squad for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour
Fowards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Bradley Slater, Ethan De Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Siale Lauaki, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Fabian Holland, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, Anton Segner, Ardie Savea (c), Wallace Sititi, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa
Backs: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston, Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Richie Mo’unga, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Emoni Narawa
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures and results
Friday 7 August: Stormers 21-38 New Zealand, DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Tuesday 11 August: Sharks 0-54 New Zealand, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Saturday 15 August: Bulls v New Zealand, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday 22 August: South Africa v New Zealand, Ellis Park, Johannesburg (first Test)
Tuesday 25 August: Lions v New Zealand, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday 29 August: South Africa v New Zealand, DHL Stadium, Cape Town (second Test)
Saturday 5 September: South Africa v New Zealand, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (third Test)
Saturday 12 September: South Africa v New Zealand, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore (fourth Test)
