Richie Mo’unga scored the match-winning try on his return to New Zealand rugby as Canterbury edged Auckland in their NPC opener.
The All Blacks flyhalf came off the bench early in the second half for his first NPC appearance since 2020.
He endured a mixed start to his comeback, spilling his first high ball before missing a straightforward conversion.
But with just three minutes remaining, the 32-year-old produced the moment that mattered most. Filling in at scrumhalf close to the Auckland line, he sniped to the right and beat three defenders to score the winning try.
Who else!? Richie Mo’unga
Sky Sport NZ pic.twitter.com/pfrhXv1KTp
— Hilux NPC (@HiluxNPC) August 1, 2026
Speaking afterwards to The Press NZ, Mo’unga admitted it had taken him a while to settle.
“A bit of a shaky start for myself with the dropped ball, but I’m just so proud to be back playing in the new stadium,” he said.
“Just grateful to be playing now in front of my family and friends, and just happy to get that one under the belt.”
JK: All Blacks will fake injury to pick Richie
The playmaker recently completed a three-year stint in Japan with the Toshiba Brave Lupus and has returned to fitness after recovering from a calf injury.
Mo’unga’s return to domestic rugby makes him eligible for All Blacks selection for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa, should injury strike.
“There is a chance,” All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said recently. “If we had an injury at 10, then he’s an option to come in.”
Photo: @HiluxNPC/X
The post Mo’unga marks comeback in style appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Richie Mo’unga scored the match-winning try on his return to New Zealand rugby as Canterbury edged Auckland in their NPC opener.
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