'For Richie, there's a specific game plan that works': Why the All Blacks haven't seen the best of Richie Mo'unga
For the past four seasons, Richie Mo’unga has been one of, if not the best performer at Super Rugby level. The prodigiously talented first five has at times made a mockery of defences and he’s continued that excellent form into 2021.
Despite his impressive showings for the Crusaders, however, Mo’unga has never replicated that form at test rugby level.
Since his debut in 2017, Mo’unga has started 16 matches for the All Blacks in the pivot role but his form in the black jersey would best be described as adequate – which is nowhere the level he’s proven himself capable of when representing the Super Rugby champions.
Some will suggest that’s because he hasn’t been playing behind a pack that regularly dominates their opposition, as is typically the case when he’s pulling the strings for the Crusaders.
That’s a somewhat reductive take, however, when the problem is much more complex.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Mo’unga’s teammate Bryn Hall has acknowledged that Mo’unga hasn’t had the same impact for the All Blacks as he has for the Crusaders.
“We’ve seen it for a long time now, that’s he’s been world-class at Super Rugby and I think by Richie’s standard, he’s probably wanted to take that form up to the next level, he wants to take it to the All Blacks,” Hall said.
“For New Zealand rugby and for New Zealand fans, that’s what we want to see … We want to see that kind of progression of him dominating games. I look at the Wallabies test match, that Bledisloe in Sydney, that was probably his stand-out performance but it’s been [just] one performance.
“Whereas, you know, there’s been so many in the Crusaders jersey where you think, ‘Man, Richie’s played well this game, this game, against this team, had moments against Super Rugby teams’. So, I think for him, he’s obviously wanted to play really well for the Crusaders and he’ll do his due diligence around that but I think that next level, that’s probably where we want to see that step up.”
“I think the level of consistency he’s shown at Super Rugby level is freakish,” added former All Black James Parsons. “He’s been up for Super Rugby player of the year two, three years – and will be again, let’s be honest.
“[But] it’s that step up and I think he would have learned a lot around the pressures of All Blacks from the World Cup and last year, it was a tough year at test match level for the All Blacks.”
The Crusaders reinforced their dominance over the rest of the country and the Hurricanes remained winless, but who were the five best players from the latest round of Super Rugby Aotearoa? #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/MMWHBaxE9m
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 22, 2021
Both players agreed that the attacking game plan for the All Blacks in the past hasn’t necessarily suited Mo’unga’s strengths but changes made throughout last year’s campaign could reap rewards in 2021.
While the Crusaders favour sending a pod of forwards ahead of whoever’s stationed at first receiver – allowing the No 10 to pick and choose when to inject themselves and the backs into the play, the NZ national side have tended towards stationing forward pods further out in the backline, keeping the first receiver busy at all times.
Following the Bledisloe Cup draw in Wellington last year, the All Blacks started adjusting their structure, however, to more resemble that which has been so successful for the Crusaders.
“I think that’s what brings the best out of [Mo’unga] at the Crusaders, he just really has a game plan that has his DNA and his touch on it,” Parsons said. “So I think if he can get that confidence and that game plan at that next level, I think that will bring the best out of him.
“I think they’ve [now made the tweaks to suit Mo’unga strengths]. I think we started to see that with [former Crusaders assistant] Brad Mooar in the All Blacks. I think he’s starting to make those tweaks and I think they’ll be fine-tuned. I feel like those adjustments have been made.”
Parsons also suggested that the altered game plan would suit Beauden Barrett just as effectively – who’s currently spending the Super Rugby season playing in Japan but will be back on deck for the All Blacks’ test campaign.
“I think Beaudie could do the same game plan, to be honest – he could [switch] between either. I think Beaudie’s effective in any style, to be honest – just because of his raw speed.”
"There were bigger prizes out there for some of the Crusaders’ better players and, try as coach Todd Blackadder might, that never changed."
– Hamish Bidwell weighs in on some of the remarkable feats of Scott Robertson. https://t.co/iXSsd6lPP1— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 22, 2021
Hall, who notched up his 100th Super Rugby cap in Sunday’s win over the Blues, believed that the All Blacks would stick to their new approach and that the new plan would bring out the best in Mo’unga’s game and allow the 26-year-old to flourish.
“I don’t think they’ll alter their game plan based on their No 10s,” he said. “I just think for Richie, there’s a specific game plan that works – and do you and try and marry that up with the All Blacks’ plan, around how they play? Even if Beaudie was there, they’d have the same game plan.
“They have altered it a little bit … And I think it just takes time [to find your feet] at test level. Look at Dan Carter when he left and Beaudie ended up being the 10, it wasn’t smooth sailing from the start, when that transition period came. I think at test level, it just takes a bit of time.”
Mo’unga, who has 77 Super Rugby caps to his name, likely has the inside running at the All Blacks No 10 jersey this season, with Barrett again expect to slot in at fullback.
Mo’unga’s Crusaders have a bye this weekend and will enter the second round of Super Rugby Aotearoa fixtures undefeated and as hot favourites to take out an unprecedented 5th title in a row.
Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments