Sign me up
Mo’unga commits till 2022
Can anyone stop the Crusaders? Scott Robertson’s side has given the impression this year they have two or three more gears than anyone else in the Super Rugby competition, in part due to their incredible depth.
Utility back Will Jordan was left out of the 23 to face the Lions last night, yet it didn’t weaken them.
Richie Mo’unga’s new three-year deal with the Crusaders and the All Blacks only strengthens the argument that the franchise is in the middle of another dynasty to rival the Robbie Deans era.
Those days were assumed to be over.
Ever since 2010, when franchise contracting was introduced, talent has been spread relatively equitably across the country.
It’s no coincidence that in the following years the Chiefs, Highlanders and Hurricanes all won their first Super Rugby titles.
The efficiency of that system has been shown at All Blacks level, too, as the test side enjoyed an unparalleled period of success.
However, if you at the Super Rugby squads this year it is clear where the top-end talent has been concentrated.
Mo’unga and George Bridge are locked in until 2022, while David Havili has signed on until 2021.
Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue and Will Jordan are all off contract this year but the Crusaders are no doubt working extremely hard to make sure they stay.
The Crusaders also have Sevu Reece, Manasa Mataele, Mitch Hunt, Ngane Punivai, Leicester Faingaanuku and All Blacks Brett Cameron, Bryn Hall and Mitch Drummond.
Ryan Crotty is heading to Japan after the Rugby World Cup but even with that in mind the Crusaders could struggle to accommodate Jordan, Ennor and Havili in the starting XV next year, certainly in their preferred positions.
The Crusaders’ backline riches are such that they could field All Blacks/ future All Blacks in jerseys No 9-No 15 (Hall, Mo’unga, Bridge, Goodhue, Ennor, Reece/Mataele, Jordan).
They would still have three recent All Blacks backs on the pine (Drummond, Cameron, Havili).
It’s a credit to the Crusaders although the incoming All Blacks coach might reasonably wonder if the national good might be best served by some of those younger Crusaders backs heading to other franchises to get guaranteed game time.
That is a debate for another time but it reinforces how well the Crusaders have managed to safeguard their future at the same time as winning championships.
Mo’unga turns 25 next month and is entering his peak years.
Although not the biggest man he has proven tough enough to handle the traffic at Super Rugby level and his ability to influence big games is without peer in New Zealand.
His acceleration, sharp passing and kicking game have elevated him to the elite status and Super Rugby has shown time and again that you cannot win the competition without that sort of quality. The Crusaders have their man, and in doing so have ensured they will add to their 2017 and 2018 crowns.