Mo’unga called into ABs
With Beauden Barrett no certainty to start against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Richie Mo’unga has been invited to get his first glimpse of life inside the All Blacks’ tent.
Although Barrett has been included in the All Blacks’ squad to travel to Queensland ahead of the test against the Aussies on Saturday night, management have concerns about his health after he suffered a head knock in the 25-24 win over the Springboks in Cape Town on October 8.
Barrett had to leave the field late in the first half of the match at Newlands because he had been left dazed, and although he passed an HIA test coach Steve Hansen elected to keep him in cotton wool and entrusted Lima Sopoaga to remain in the playmaker’s role.
The uncertainty around Barrett has resulted in Mo’unga, an important contributor to the Crusaders’ charge to the Super Rugby title win this year and also a regular starter for Canterbury during their run into the Mitre 10 Cup semifinals, getting whistledup as temporary cover.
There is little doubt Hansen will put Sopoaga into the No 10 position if Barrett is unfit, but the compilation of his bench will attract more than passing curiosity from Wallabies counterpart Michael Cheika.
There are several options available. Damian McKenzie, who is expected to start at fullback at Suncorp Stadium after producing some hot attacking form against the Boks at Newlands, could be on standby for the first-five spot if Sopoaga has to be replaced.
The alternative is to take a punt and ask the uncapped Mo’unga, who has also played fullback for Canterbury in the past, to sit on the bench as back-up.
Whatever happens in Brisbane, it is clear that Mo’unga is well and truly on the selectors’ radar; with Aaron Cruden now playing in France, and given Hansen’s longheld desire to keep building depth, there is a decent chance the Cantabrian will be asked to be the third-ranked first-five in a squad that is expected to number 37 for the upcoming tour of the northern hemisphere.
Rather than replace Nehe Milner-Skudder, who will be out of action for around six months after dislocating his shoulder in Cape Town, the All Blacks have not called for a another wing. It is expected Waisake Naholo will start on the right flank against the Aussies.
In regards to locks Brodie Retallick and Luke Romano, things are clear cut.
Retallick, who also didn’t tour Argentina and South Africa recently after he and his wife Niki lost their baby son prematurely, will remain in New Zealand. Romano will also stay at home with partner Hannah, who recently had a baby.
It is expected Scott Barrett will partner the experienced Sam Whitelock in the second row once again, as he did in Cape Town, and Patrick Tuipulotu will provide cover off the bench. The retention of Matt Todd means there are now three opensiders in the squad.
Sam Cane, who on Monday resigned with NZ Rugby through to 2021, retains a firm grip on the No 7 jersey but it is clear Todd is making a very strong case to the selectors to be a more permanent fixture after being left out of the original squad named for the Rugby Championship. When Cane was told to stay in New Zealand ahead of the recent match against the Pumas in Buenos Aires, Todd got the nod ahead of Savea.
A week later Todd replaced Cane for the bulk of the second half of the match against the Springboks. Savea has already returned to New Zealand.