Crusaders No 10 Mo’unga hangs tough
If you enjoy a bit of drama you might label Richie Mo’unga a survivor.
Apart from the fact he quickly returned to form following an enforced six-week break to reclaim the Crusaders’ first five-eighth’s jersey, you also put a spin on the storyline by saying he knows how to stick around.
Of the backs that started in the Super Rugby quarterfinal defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg on July 23 last year, Mo’unga was the only one to wear the same number when the Crusaders thumped the Stormers 57-24 in Christchurch last Saturday night.
Ryan Crotty and David Havili, who started at second five-eighth and fullback at AMI Stadium, also played in the 42-25 loss to the Lions, but in different positions. Israel Dagg and Jone Macilai, too, were on show in Jo’burg but are injured, while Johnny McNicholl and Andy Ellis have since left the club.
Mo’unga also has a high pain threshold, and a stubborn streak.
He wasn’t sure how he fractured a bone in his left hand during the opening round match against the Brumbies on February 25, forcing him to have surgery the following day.
‘‘I was setting up for a scrum and my hand was sore. I looked down and it wasn’t too bad. I remember running in at halftime and thinking ‘I may have broken it and should I say something to the physio or doctor?’
‘‘I was pretty sure it was broken. But I knew if I said something I wouldn’t be going back on. It was like if I am going to be out for the next six weeks, I may as well play the next 40 minutes.’’
That incident could have starved him of the No 10 jersey for more than the six weeks it took to recuperate.
Mitchell Hunt performed admirably at first-five in Mo’unga’s absence, helping the Crusaders to remain unbeaten against the Highlanders, Reds, Blues, Force and Waratahs.
But despite Hunt promoting a decent argument as to why he should be retained, coach Scott Robertson started Mo’unga against the Sunwolves on April 14 and kept him for the crunch match against the Stormers, a side that had previously only lost one match this season.
Mo’unga admitted he was nervous prior to the team naming. Hunt didn’t hesitate in offering a kind word, when he learned the outcome.
‘‘He [Hunt] was the first one to come up to me and say ‘congrats’,’’ Mo’unga said. ‘‘And the same with him when I got injured. I respected that it was his time to have a go. We have trust in whoever gets the job.’’
Mo’unga’s experience, he was the only player to start all 16 matches in 2016 after Dan Carter, Colin Slade and Tom Taylor had left to play in France, should prove valuable during the two-match tour of South Africa. The Crusaders will meet the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Sunday morning (NZT), followed by the Bulls in Pretoria the following weekend.
Mo’unga wasn’t perfect, but he did a lot of things well against the Stormers. The most notable blemish was the looping intercept pass snapped-up by Cheslin Kolbe. There were numerous positives; it started with his control of the game, willingness to stand flat and accept the contact and he also succeeded with eight of his nine shots at goal.
Having bulked up over the summer, he added around 6kg of muscle and weighs around 88kg, Mo’unga has tuned up his body to survive the defensive shots.
‘‘In Super Rugby everyone is pretty big – massive. Physically, you have to be conditioned. At the same time you have to have your strengths, and for me, that is being nippy and fast around the field.’’