Mo’unga v Barrett: Here we go again

All Blacks coach Ian Foster will get a timely second look at his top two pivots going head-to-head this afternoon.

Just three weeks out from the opening Bledisloe Cup test, the clash of Canterbury and Taranaki first five-eighths Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett adds intrigue to what was already set to be a spicy Ranfurly Shield match in Christchurch.

Neither Mo’unga, representing the South, nor Barrett clearly outplayed the other when the South

At a glance

What: Canterbury v Taranaki, Mitre 10 Cup and Ranfurly Shield match When, where: 4.35pm today at Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

Canterbury: Josh McKay, Manasa Mataele, Isaiah Punivai, Rameka Poihipi, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Reed Prinsep (c), Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Oli Jager, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Shilo Klein, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Fletcher Newell, Mitchell Dunshea, Billy Harmon, Ere Enari, Brett Cameron, Andrew Knewstubb.

Taranaki: Jordie Barrett, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Sean Wainui, TeiWalden, Lewis Ormond, Beauden Barrett, Lisati Milo-Harris, Kaylum Boshier, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Crosswell, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Ben May, Ricky Riccitelli, Reuben O’Neill. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Donald Brighouse, Jack Jordan, Tom Florence, Warwick Lahmert, Jayson Potroz, Brayton Northcott-Hill.

edged the North in Wellington earlier this month, after Foster declared the pair were battling for the No 10 jersey when the All Blacks finally played.

Indeed, with one of Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie expected to start at fullback, the days of Barrett starting at fullback appear to be over.

So, Foster and his coaching staff will be keen spectators as Mo’unga and Barrett play what is likely to be their last part in the Mitre 10 Cup this year.

And they aren’t the only ones as the blanket availability of ABs expires after round two.

Canterbury’s Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Sam Whitelock and George Bridge, and Taranaki’s Jordie Barrett, might not feature again, while Canterbury No 8 Cullen Grace may feature beyond this week.

Regardless, today’s Shield match looks set to be a belter, three years

after Canterbury’s previous tenure ended at the hands of the amberand- blacks.

‘‘I know from Ranfurly Shield games, they’re not like any game, they’re tough, they’re test-like, they’re like finals footy. It’s the team that turns up on the day and puts the most amount of pressure on that wins the game,’’ Mo’unga said.

The last time Mo’unga played in a Ranfurly Shield game, Canterbury rolled to a 31-7 lead before Taranaki launched a furious rally

and recorded a remarkable win.

Taranaki wing Manasa Mataele, now a member of Canterbury, sealed the match by plucking a Mo’unga kick out of the air and returning it 48 metres.

‘‘It’s all over social media at the moment, some of my mates are tagging me in it and [saying] ‘now you’ve changed teams’ and all of that,’’ Mataele said.

‘‘That was one of the most memorable moments of my career as well, coming down here and

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playing a Shield game.

‘‘He’s [Mo’unga] been giving me a bit over that.

‘‘We’ve been giving each other a bit of banter and that – it’s always good fun being around him. ’’

Halfback Mitchell Drummond saw the video on social media this week, not that he needed it to recall themoment.

‘‘It’s something we don’t like seeing. But he can do it again on Saturday if he wants, because he’s wearing red-and-black this time around.’’

Canterbury fans can thank Mataele’s girlfriend, Martha Lolohea, who will start on the wing for Canterbury’s Farah Palmer Cup team against Otago today, for his switch in allegiance.

It was Lolohea, his partner of five years, who convinced him to sign with Canterbury, so they could remain in Christchurch together after his Super Rugby campaign with the Crusaders concluded.

‘‘Probably 80 per cent of it. She was one of the main reasons why I came down here,’’ Mataele said.