Ex-All Black Evans gives Hansen advice on handling of Mo'unga
Former All Black number 10 Nick Evans wants the Richie Mo’unga to be given the chance to prove he could lead New Zealand to World Cup glory in Japan by being thrown into meaningful Rugby Championship matches ahead of Beauden Barrett.
Evans knows all about the pressures created by competition for the playmaker role in the best team in the world having shadowed Dan Carter during his career. Evans sees Barrett as the number one choice, but understands why Mo’unga has so much support after his Super Rugby heroics and wants to see the Crusaders outside half given significant game time in matches that really matter during the Championship.
He explained: “Beauden will go into the World Cup as first choice number 10 and is the best in the world and I want to see Richie controlling a Test – not given a chance in a match that is basically a dead rubber. Let’s put him into a situation where he needs to play well and if Beauden does get injured you need to know the next in line can win you the World Cup.
“It is true that Richie may not make the 23 if Beauden starts, but he was fantastic for the Crusaders and I would give him a chance early in the Rugby Championship. It is important for the All Blacks group to see him getting the team over the line in a Test match and there is a case for putting Richie in for the first two Tests to give Beauden a kick up the bum.
“Going into a World Cup you need to know where you stand and in 2007 I knew that Carter was the number one and whenever I got my opportunity I had to make sure I helped the team and you cannot be sulking or negative.”
Wallaby legend Michael Lynagh believes New Zealand should pick Mo’unga at 10 for Saturday’s clash with Australia, but expects the mercurial Crusaders playmaker to be left out of the All Blacks Bledisloe Cup match squad.
Lynagh is a big fan of Mo’unga who masterminded the Crusaders’ Super Rugby title triumph and insists he should be picked ahead of Barrett for the opening Rugby Championship battle with the Wallabies in Sydney. However, Lynagh recognises the All Blacks need to immediately stamp their authority on the Championship and that means sticking to the tried and tested Barrett with Mo’unga missing out on a place in the match 23 as Damian McKenzie, would then cover No10 and full back on the bench.
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Lynagh, who won 72 caps for Australia and lifted the 1991 World Cup, explained: “Richie Mo’unga played really well in both the Super Rugby semi-final and the final and is the form No10, but if Beauden gets picked to start then I don’t see Richie making the 23. Beauden has a bit of currency in the bank and it would be a very brave move for New Zealand to change their number 10 straight up from a winning formula.
“What Damian McKenzie has shown is that he is the Beauden Barrett of a few years ago and makes a huge difference whenever he comes on and can cover 10 and 15. I just feel that if Mo’unga doesn’t start then he won’t get into the match 23. The fact is that New Zealand have three number 10’s that most countries would be picking and you could start with Mo’unga and bring Barrett off the bench or start him at 15 with McKenzie on the bench. It’s an embarrassment of riches and because Barrett has the runs on the board he probably deserves a first shot at it. I am sure that Richie will get his chance in the Championship.”
Lynagh views Saturday’s match as an opportunity for Australia to strike a blow for the whole game and while he doesn’t agree with scrum half Will Genia’s assertion that it’s bigger than the World Cup, he recognises the significance of the clash.
Lynagh added: “The Bledisloe Cup isn’t as big as the World Cup but it is the next game that Australia play therefore it is the biggest. There is an enormous amount of pressure on Australia to beat New Zealand and Genia’s comment highlights that fact. I am sure the rest of the rugby World is saying “ come on Australia, do us all a favour and show that the All Blacks are beatable”. It would give everyone hope going into the World Cup and this really is a big game for Australia.
“You get the sense that Australian rugby is on an upward curve but I am not saying we are going to suddenly be World beaters but we are on the up heading into the World Cup with 12 months to go. It would be great to win the first up match with the All Blacks and it is probably our best chance of defeating them. If we don’t it’s not the end of the World and I just hope it’s not like last year when we were 40 points down in the Bledisloe Cup opener at half time.
“I really hope we are in a better situation this time or else we will be 40 points down at the break again!”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to comments