Dave Rennie reveals scrapped All Blacks plan for Richie Mo'unga

Dave Rennie has revealed that Richie Mo’unga would not have run out for the All Blacks during July’s Nations Championship Tests even if he was eligible for selection.

It was confirmed last week by New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster that Mo’unga would not be granted an exemption to NZR’s selection criteria, which stipulates that a player must compete in the preceding local competition to earn national selection.

Making the man who has worn New Zealand’s No.10 jersey for each of the last two Rugby World Cups available for selection earlier was heavily considered, and had Mo’unga signed for longer than the 18 months leading into, but not beyond, the 2027 World Cup, the board may have looked at the situation differently.

But as it stands, Mo’unga must compete for defending champions, Canterbury, in the coming NPC season, and only after he has donned the red and black will he be available to join Rennie’s squad.

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4 Jul 26

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The coach was honest about his plans for Mo’unga at a media engagement in Auckland on Tuesday morning, revealing how he would have managed the playmaker’s return to the Test arena had he been available for the entire Test season.

“My thinking would have been that we wouldn’t have used him in July,” Rennie revealed, acknowledging “there’s been a lot of chat” about the 56-Test star.

“We’ve got good depth there, here, with the guys who are currently playing. But the thinking would be that Richie would be in the group, getting his head around how we want to play the game and the detail within that. Then, include him in the squad for Africa and probably play him against the Stormers, first game, and let him earn the right to fight for a Test spot. But obviously, the criteria mean that we can’t do that.

“But we’re still hoping to get him in, so he can get his head around things. And then, maybe if there are injuries, then there’s an option to bring him in.

“But he’s got his head around it, he’s prepared to go play NPC. We’ve accepted the situation and understand New Zealand Rugby’s mindset around it, so we’ll just get on with it now.”

Mo’unga’s return to New Zealand has been a major talking point since he left following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with previous All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson criticised for voicing his interest in exploring eligibility exemptions and getting his former Crusaders star out of his contract in Japan early.

Robertson’s critics found the moves disrespectful to the crop of No.10s who have remained in New Zealand, with the likes of Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Ruben Love all available for All Blacks selection.

Rennie revealed that he has an idea of which of the available players is best suited for the All Blacks’ game plan, but was unwilling to offer any hints or insights into his ranking.

“I think we’re blessed in that position,” the coach said. “I’m really excited, watching over the next few weeks as the intensity grows, it’s a chance to see the guys who are performing. It’s definitely a position of strength.”