Hansen’s new
Richie Mo’unga, the man of the match for the Crusaders in their grand final victory over the Lions and a player rapidly becoming the most talked about in New Zealand rugby because of his talent and ability to influence a game, has opened up on how he has arrived at this point.
It has taken work, and a lot of it. First-five Mo’unga, now 24, has always had ability — his background in touch rugby giving him the hands and feet to do on the field what few others can.
Last year he led the Crusaders to their first title since 2008 and last night he did it again against the Lions and his performance will again put scrutiny on the selection of the All Blacks No 10 for the first Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Sydney on August 18 and beyond. But what isn’t seen by most people is the physical and mental preparation it has taken for him to get here.
“It’s just standards — having real pride in my performance every week and having real pride in doing what I need to do for the team; not just for my own performance but also I know what impact it has on the team’s performance if I nail that,” Mo’unga said as the celebrations continued at AMI Stadium. “I have confidence in my ability to do what I need to do.
“I’d say I’m more level headed now. I’ve added maturity to my game. I’d say I’m more of a leader, not just with my words but with my actions too. I know if I can lead with my actions it’s the best way. I’ve worked hard to get here to this position. It didn’t just happen — it’s also up to the faith that Razor [coach Scott Robertson] has in me to lead this team.”
Last weekend Mo’unga outplayed All Blacks No 10 Beauden Barrett, and this time he outplayed Springboks No 10 Elton Jantjies in the 37-18 victory. He helped set up the Crusaders’ first two tries, and kicked all seven of his shots at goal. He was especially influential in the first half as his side went to a 20-6 halftime lead.
He has pace, is brave under the high ball, and can find space — either in close contact, or behind the defensive line. When Carter retired after the All Blacks retained the World Cup in 2015, the Crusaders backed Mo’unga, a then talented but inexperienced player, to replace him. The faith has been re-paid.
“A lot of it is mental,” said Mo’unga, adding he worked a lot with assistant coach Brad Mooar in this area. “I’ve gained a lot of mental toughness during the year and really back my process and how my [training] weeks look and knowing if I get that right then on Saturday I can go out and perform.”
Asked what his No 10 did right, Robertson said: “He beat about 20 defenders, he kicked the majority of his goals, he was tough on defence.”
Asked whether he had ever coached a flyhalf like Mo’unga, Robertson, a former Canterbury coach, said: “Dan Carter was all right when he came back for a couple of games for Canterbury, but no, he’s pretty special.
“What I love about Richie is he’s brave on defence. That’s the biggest part of his game. He was probably one of the best touch rugby players in New Zealand — he has great feet and great hands.
“He could kick a ball, he could kick clutch penalties and conversions, but he is brave on ‘D’ and that’s what you need to do, you need a whole skillset to play test rugby and he’s shown he can do it at the highest level in the final of a championship.”
Mo’unga has played only one test — when he replaced Barrett in the third test against France in Dunedin in June, but he is destined to play many more.
Lions coach Swys de Bruin said of Mo’unga: “He’s played so well for the whole season. I think he is the catalyst for this team. His ability to take it up running or taking it deeper — he was just never caught in no-man’s land. We tried to trap him but he was very good on the night.”
Should Hansen pick Mo’unga or Barrett as his starting first-five? De Bruin laughed and said: “Yeah I guess that’s a tough one. Good luck to him on that choice — he knows his game so I’m sure he’ll pick the right guy.”
Carter tweeted his congratulations to Mo’unga on Saturday night. The image shared was of a young Mo’unga with Carter following the 2008 Super 14 final.
“It’s a vivid memory of mine. From that day I’ve always wanted to be part of a final at home and to do it this Saturday I get to create my dream,” Mo’unga said yesterday.
At the time the 14-year-old Mo’unga would have been at Riccarton High School. Five years later he made his debut for Canterbury. The emotional rollercoaster the Crusaders have been on over the past three weeks cannot be underestimated, and given the number of All Blacks in the squad, coach Steve Hansen could have a job this week bringing them back down to earth.
Hansen will today name his 33-man squad for the Rugby Championship and the All Blacks’ first assignment is a Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Sydney a week on Saturday. It will be the Wallabies’ best chance of a victory over their old foe, and after they won their last meeting in Brisbane last year, confidence will be high.
The All Blacks squad will assemble in Christchurch today for a training camp, which will include a trial including players from Canterbury and Otago at AMI Stadium on Friday.
Few of the Crusaders will be involved in that but, with the bulk of the starting pack coming from the Crusaders, plus midfielder Ryan Crotty and possibly Jack Goodhue, the franchise will make up the lion’s share of the squad and will be expected to quickly switch into test mode.
Crotty, a hugely important part of the Crusaders backline, and, with Sonny Bill Williams out injured, a key All Black too, spoke of his emotions after the victory over the Lions.
“We’ve had such a special journey and we’ve played such tough games,” he said. “We have such a tight group. It was a massive effort and it’s nice to send off a few Crusaders players the way they should be sent off.
“I’m looking forward to spending a few days celebrating what we’ve achieved.”
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