Sir Steve Hansen weighs into Richie Mo’unga debate as All Blacks legend reveals the ‘myth’ about fly-half’s return
All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo'unga after receiving award in Japan and World Cup-winning coach Sir Steve Hansen.
Sir Steve Hansen has given his verdict on Richie Mo’unga’s return to New Zealand after the fly-half signed an 18-month deal ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The playmaker will head back home midway through 2026 when his three-year contract with Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan expires.
Mo’unga earned 56 caps prior to his departure following the 2023 global tournament and he will be looking to force his way into Scott Robertson’s squad when he returns next year.
Three-way battle for All Blacks 10 shirt
He becomes eligible in October 2026, after New Zealand’s July internationals and their tour to South Africa, and will battle for that 10 shirt with Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie.
“It’s obviously a good outcome for Richie, he’s agreed to do it so he’s happy with it,” former All Blacks boss Hansen told Newstalk ZB.
“He is a quality player available for the All Blacks so it’s a great outcome for them as well.
“We know he’s a quality player, he’s won many, many titles. The five-eighth is your main computer so he’s obviously doing a good job in the team he’s in (Toshiba).
“He’s had a second World Cup and performed at those levels as well. It adds to the depth with Beauden playing very well, McKenzie playing well.
“You need depth to be able to win World Cups.”
Ex-Crusaders star reveals ‘massive motivating factor’ behind Richie Mo’unga’s return to New Zealand
Mo’unga has rejoined Canterbury and the Crusaders, and will feature in the 2026 NPC campaign when he returns from Japan.
After that, focus switches to the All Blacks for the latter part of their Test season and then Super Rugby Pacific in 2027.
However, it does not give the fly-half much time to propel him into contention and prove that he should be the first choice pivot for New Zealand at the World Cup in Australia.
The big Mo’unga worry
There may also be a worry as to how Mo’unga will adapt after playing for an extended period in Japan, resulting in him missing three years of international rugby, but Hansen has dismissed those concerns.
“He’ll be prepared. You’ve seen Ardie Savea come back and play, you’ve seen Beauden Barrett come back and play. Both of them played well,” the 2015 Rugby World Cup winner, who is currently head coach of Toyota Verblitz, added.
“There is a bit of a myth from years gone by about Japanese rugby, that it’s not strong enough for preparing you for Test footy, but a lot has changed up here, the coaching, the depth of playing quality across all the teams.
“It’s a very competitive competition. To be in a winning team like he has, you’ve got to be playing well, got to be committed to your standards and the stuff your team needs you to be doing.
“I’ve got no doubt he’ll come back and play well. Test rugby is a big step up from Super Rugby or Japanese rugby, doesn’t matter where you are going, the step up is big.
“We know he’s been there before and done the job before. Players like Jerome Kaino came back and was a superstar.”
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