‘It’s what you dream of’: What Richie Mo’unga thought during match-winning kick
Win, lose or draw, the sun will always come up in the morning. But, as All Blacks fans will undoubtedly agree, it shines a little bit brighter whenever New Zealand beat fierce rivals Australia.
Following on from last weekend’s 38-7 blitz of the Wallabies at the world-famous MCG, the All Blacks were talked up as a near certainty of completing a Bledisloe Cup double in Dunedin.
But, as they always do during a Bledisloe Cup series, the Wallabies came to play.
Much to the surprise of more than 28,000 fans in attendance at Forsyth Barr Stadium, the Test was decided by a last-minute penalty goal from All Blacks playmaker Richie Mo’unga.
Having lined up a tough penalty attempt about 40 metres out and 12 in from touch, a focused Richie Mo’unga began to approach the ball with the weight of a nation on his shoulders.
But the playmaker wasn’t feeling the pressure.
The game clock had just ticked over the 79-minute mark when Mo’unga stepped towards the ball. Almost immediately, the crowd let out a deafening cheer – they knew the attempt was good.
Ice in his veins 🥶
🎥: @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/Yu7YK1NLQH
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 5, 2023
Mo’unga was the hero as the All Blacks extended their winning streak to four Tests from as many starts this year, while the Wallabies’ losing run continues under coach Eddie Jones.
About an hour after full-time, a humble Richie Mo’unga spoke with reporters about his last-minute heroics that decided Bledisloe II.
“It’s what you dream of as a young kid, kicking goals in the backyard and at the park,” Mo’unga told reporters.
“For it to come off, I sort of had no fear of any outcome when I had the ball in my hand. I’m just grateful for our front row, they were able to put me in the position to do that.”
Mo’unga is no stranger to clutch shots at goal. Earlier this year, the champion Crusader iced the Super Rugby Pacific final with a penalty attempt after the siren in Hamilton.
The Crusaders were already winning the decider when Mo’unga struck gold, it must be said, but it still brought an end to a titanic clash with the Chiefs.
The ability to overcome the pressure of that scenario, and actually embrace it, is simply an elite skill. Mo’unga is happy to be that guy for the All Blacks – kicking is part of his job.
“It’s no different from any other kick,” Mo’unga added. “For me, I’m just having to be real clear and focused on where I want to hit the ball and the intent of how I strike.
“I was walking the field before the game and I went through four kicks, I walked out and I didn’t actually kick a ball – I didn’t have a physical ball with me.
“One of those four kicks was a kick, in my head, to win the game.
“I grabbed the ball and went back and I was pretty at peace with where I was because it wasn’t the first time I’d been there, I was ready for that moment.
“In my head I was pretty confident that I was in the right place with my kicking to get the kick over.”
The All Blacks found their mojo when replacement Mo’unga entered the fray during the second half. Damian McKenzie, who started in the No. 10 jersey, had a tough afternoon in Dunedin.
Mo’unga brought some direction to the All Blacks’ attack, and the pivot also kicked well around the park. The 29-year-old even impressed under the high ball.
The history books will remember that this Test was decided by a clutch penalty goal at the death, but Mo’unga’s influence goes so much further than that.
“Needed to be direct and just wanted to come on with a bit of accuracy and discipline in what we were trying to achieve as a team.
“Just sort of strip things back a bit and made things simple for the boys, and through that, we were able to build pressure at the set-piece with the ball in hand which is pretty cool.”
That was the All Blacks’ final Test on New Zealand soil before heading off to Europe for their final warmup match ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France.
The All Blacks will announce their Rugby World Cup squad on Monday.
Comments on RugbyPass
Now if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy 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!
5 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 …
33 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.
5 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!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to comments