Stephen Donald claims ‘fair bit of pressure’ on Richie Mo’unga amid ‘unfortunate’ situation since All Blacks return
Richie Mo'unga in action for the All Blacks against the Springboks and ex-New Zealand fly-half Stephen Donald.
Former All Blacks fly-half Stephen Donald reckons that Richie Mo’unga has a point to prove after being named in the squad for the Nations Championship.
There were concerns around the 32-year-old’s fitness but head coach Dave Rennie is confident that he will be ready for the second match of the end-of-year series.
He is therefore likely to get his opportunity in the number 10 jersey after missing the two Bledisloe Cup clashes against the Wallabies.
Damian McKenzie’s brilliance at 10
Mo’unga’s absence therefore led to Damian McKenzie shifting from full-back to fly-half, and it was a move which paid off as the Chiefs playmaker produced a couple of exceptional displays.
McKenzie looks to have usurped the Crusaders star as a result and Donald believes that there will be pressure on Mo’unga to perform.
Since he returned to New Zealand following the end of his stint in Japan, the fly-half has not had much time in the saddle.
“The thing about Richie is it’s unfortunate that he’s come back and he’s played like two games of rugby in the last six months,” Donald said on The Aftermatch with Kirst and Beav.
“I know they’re saying he’s going to be fit and available for the Welsh game but even to just throw him out into that one is going to be a fair bit of pressure.”
Irrespective of what happens over the next month, Mo’unga will very much be in the mix for the Rugby World Cup next year.
And he could well be joined by scrum-half Dylan Pledger, who is currently on the sidelines following a horrific injury in training.
The 21-year-old ruptured his ACL ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign but, provided Pledger can recover from that injury and finally make his Highlanders bow, he is one of three possible bolters namechecked by Donald.
All Blacks bolters in 2027
Although the 2011 World Cup winner believes that there won’t be too many Test debutants next year, he has predicted that Pledger and wings Caleb Tangitau and Kyren Taumoefolau could put themselves in contention for a place in the squad.
“Pledger’s case has probably been strengthened by being injured this year I would imagine, so he’s going to be there,” Donald said.
“Tangitau I would imagine, is going to be well and truly, and Kyren, once their fully fit again.”
He added: “You can’t think of too many others. Maybe a Torian Barnes or someone like that, but I can’t see too many more now. They’ve only got half a dozen games and they will want to start to solidify things a little bit next year.
“We’ve seen All Blacks teams that have gone to World Cups still juggling on their way in and it hasn’t ended well.
“When your second game is Australia and your fourth game (editor’s note: fifth game) of a World Cup is going to be a quarter-final against the Springboks, you need to be well and truly in sync with each other.”
