The New Zealand anthem stirred something in Richie Mo’unga at Ellis Park on Saturday, three days before his long-awaited All Blacks comeback at the same venue. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.
Early last year, Mo’unga was sitting in Japan watching the Six Nations on TV when it struck him how much he wanted to play again for the All Blacks.
On Tuesday, for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final, he will do so against the Lions at Ellis Park.
Mo’unga watched the All Blacks’ win against the Springboks from the stands on Saturday, and listening to the New Zealand national anthem before kickoff reaffirmed why he had returned.
“There was that moment where I thought, this is why I wanted to come back, that feeling of adding to the legacy, and that feeling of testing yourself against the best in the world.”
MORE: DMac ready for Boks to return blows
That desire to return had taken hold during his stint with the Toshiba Brave Lupus.
“I was sitting in Japan and thinking, why not? Watching the Six Nations and just understanding there’s no better feeling than being in the arena. Rugby in Japan is a lot different to that.
“There’s a lot of beautiful things about rugby in Japan, but when you’re watching Test matches over in Europe and watching your mates play, you don’t get that feeling.
“One reason for coming back was I didn’t want to have any regrets, I didn’t want to think, ‘I wish I’d given it another crack.’”
TEAM: Richie at 10 as All Blacks aim for SA sweep
Reflecting on Sunday how the All Blacks the camp had changed in his three years away, the 56-cap playmaker said, “There are a few changes, but the main one is some of the faces. I’ve met some of my teammates for the first time on this tour, so that’s a different dynamic that I’m used to.
“But there’s an awesome buzz within this group. The leaders are doing a really awesome job leading this team, and you’ve got guys just ready to go, ready to put their hand up.”
Mo’unga believes he’s a better player for his time abroad.
“Japan gave me a lot of perspective, a lot of different experiences I hadn’t had in New Zealand, and you just don’t get that in terms of the game itself.
“I’ve had to lead from a different angle: lead as a player, but also as a coach in Japan. And I’ve grown so much as a person, as a father and as a husband, which has been pretty special the last couple of years.”
He says he’s also older and wiser.
“Some of the boys have already mentioned it, but I’ve just come back really grateful. I knew I missed it, but coming back in, you realise this is a really special circle to be in. I’m savouring every moment and not taking these things for granted.”
Naturally, his rivalry with teammate Ruben Love for the No 10 jersey is a recurring theme, but Mo’unga welcomes the fresh dynamic.
“I’ve been so impressed with how he’s played this season, both as a Hurricane and as an All Black, and coming into this team, it’s not about trying to get back the 10 jersey, that’s not my role at this moment.
“My role is getting into the group, understanding how the team plays, meeting coaches for the first time, and helping out however I can, prepping the boys for an awesome Test yesterday.
“And now I’ve got the awesome opportunity to put on a jumper myself.”
OPINION: ‘Moneyball’ with a haka will worry Rassie
Photo: Koki Nagahama/Getty Images
The post Richie relishing All Blacks return appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The New Zealand anthem stirred something in Richie Mo’unga at Ellis Park on Saturday, three days before his long-awaited All Blacks comeback at the same venue.
The post Richie relishing All Blacks return appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
