All Black flyhalf Richie Mo’unga, who arrives in the country on Friday, won’t play in the tour match against the Vodacom Bulls, nor in the first test against the Springboks, but is likely to have his first run against the Lions, coach Dave Rennie has revealed.
Mo’unga was drafted into the squad following the injury to midfielder Billy Proctor and is a popular choice in New Zealand to get into the squad, but the All Blacks are likely to give him time to settle into the squad before they get him into some action in the black jersey.
Coach Dave Rennie, chatting in naming his side to face the Bulls, revealed that Rieko Ioane’s versatility - covering wing and centre - had made the choice easier to bring Mo’unga back into the squad.
“We looked if we had enough cover, and obviously with Rieko - who we picked as a winger, but who can also cover centre, versatility made it easier. So we feel we have enough cover there,” Rennie said.
But Rennie followed it up that Mo’unga needed to have time to settle into the team structures, and revealed he had met with all four 10s on tour before he phoned Mo’unga to call him into the squad.
“By the time Richie arrives, the first three provincial games are gone. And we felt him coming in and immersing himself, getting his head around our structures and the detail within that would be really beneficial. And, you know, he's a player who is good enough to apply pressure for selection at some stage.
“So the thinking is that it wouldn't be in the first test. But he might get game time against the Lions to start pushing a claim there.”
LOGICAL REPLACEMENT
Rennie said that while Proctor was unlucky it was an easy choice to bring Mo’unga into the squad.
“Richie's the logical replacement, because of the quality of the player. And I'm not sure when he'll play tests fully for us, but coming in now and spending time in the environment will accelerate that option.
“I mean, he's a very good player. I'm not sure, I mean, we're really happy with how Ruben's (Love) been going, with Damian, who we're predominantly using at 15 now, Beauden, and even, you know, Josh (Jacomb), who will get an opportunity on the weekend to start.
“So that's about creating depth in those positions. And Richie brings a lot of experience
Rennie said he met with all the flyhalf options in the team and explained to them why Mo’unga is back in the side.
“Yeah, look, I met with all four 10s yesterday morning? I spoke to them before I even spoke to Richie. I just wanted them to understand that - obviously, Richie has been signed back to New Zealand Rugby, and my job as head coach is to pick the best players available.
“I think when Razor was obviously involved in bringing Richie home, and he mentioned to Ruben about it, even yesterday Ruben was saying how good it would be to have him in, a chance to learn. But, you know, at the moment it's Ruben's jersey, and he's doing well, so we're happy with that. But it'll be good competition, and all four teams are really supportive of the decision.”
The Bulls game is the last match before the first of four tests gets played next weekend in Johannesburg.