Gatland urges more as Wales see
stunning second-half cameo on debut where he crossed the line twice, including scoring with his first touch of the ball.
And it was none other than silky first five-eighth Mo’unga to set it up – sweeping shortside and breaking the line to help Bridge in for his 47th minute wonder-score – a try that would instantly make the 23-year-old’s wallet a bit lighter prior to flying home to New Zealand.
‘‘I think he’ll be shouting a few tonight,’’ Mo’unga said, expectantly, not long after fulltime.
‘‘It’s a special night for a lot of the boys, Kiwi coach Warren Gatland has warned that Wales’ winning performance against Scotland would not have been good enough to beat a southern hemisphere side.
Wales have scored six successive wins for the first time in six years after holding off Scotland 21-10 at Principality Stadium yesterday.
The Welsh scored two brilliant tries from set pieces, to one by the Scots, and led 21-10 with more than half an hour to go.
But Wales then spent most of that remaining time under siege, and survived 10 minutes a man down to beat the Scots for a 10th straight time in Cardiff.
Gatland conceded that improvement was needed with a game against Australia looming.
‘‘It is always nice to get a win in your and a lot of them are Crusaders boys that I’m very close with as well, so it’s going to be a special night to celebrate what’s been an awesome year for them.’’
Indeed, while Mo’unga will now link up with the rest of the All Blacks squad in Europe for tests against England, Ireland and Italy, the likes of Bridge will head into the off-season no doubt inspired by the taste of the black jersey, and what could lay in store in future.
‘‘He’s one of the few talented players that can turn nothing into something,’’ Mo’unga said. ‘‘I’m not at all surprised by first hit out and getting that game under our belt was good,’’ he said.
‘‘It is a tough ask when you play one of the southern hemisphere sides first who have just come off the back of the Rugby Championship. the way he performed tonight, it was just a matter of when he was going to get his opportunity.
‘‘And it just shows you how thorough he is with his preparation and how strong upstairs he is to come on and put a performance out like that in 40 minutes. I was happy for him and I’m sure his family is as well.’’
While happy for his provincial, Super Rugby and now national team-mate, Mo’unga could hardly be displeased with his own contribution – a casual 22 points from a try and eight from nine off the tee,
‘‘That’s why we have struggled in the last 16 years to win the opening autumn international – it has tended to be against Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.’’
Wales were forced to make 179 tackles overall, while Scotland failed to make the