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Richie Mo'unga explains short-term nature of new NZR deal
By Henry Lee
Richie Mo’unga will be back in red and black for 2026, for Canterbury in the NPC, and the Crusaders in 2027 after signing an 18-month contract with New Zealand rugby.
But what the contract and announcement doesn’t say, is that Mo’unga was in discussions regarding which Super Rugby Pacific team he would be signing for, and for how long.
Mo’unga made 109 appearances for the Crusaders over a seven year period, making his debut for the franchise in 2016, but the first-five tells Patrick McKendry in an interview for 1News that in another world, playing for another franchise might have worked out.
“In another world or another life, Moana Pasifika would have been great. It would have been a cool story. But going home was to try to give myself chance to play at a World Cup and playing for the Crusaders does that for me,” Mo’unga said in a 1News interview before the Ireland Test in Chicago.
“At this point in my career, I don’t think I could play for any other team, unless I really had to,”
“Canterbury is home and I grew up loving the team. Obviously, I played over 100 games for the Crusaders. I still watch all the Crusaders games when I’m in Japan and keep in touch closely with the boys and always wish them well.
“Going home also is to spend more time with my mum and for my kids to be with their family.”
Mo’unga then explains that the short-term deal for only 18 months allows the 31-year-old to assess his future after the Rugby World Cup, instead of a longer term deal that would mean a sabbatical could already be locked in.
“Some people may hate to hear me say this but it allows me to do what I feel like doing at that time,”
“At the time of finishing a World Cup, whatever the feeling is, or whatever the family situation… it allows me to be really flexible – and that’s all it is.
“I’m not saying I won’t stay in New Zealand post-2027, I’m not saying I didn’t sign [a longer contract] because I had something else teed up in Japan or somewhere else, it literally allows me to be flexible to decide what’s best for me and what’s best for my family.”
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And for the people in New Zealand who haven’t followed his journey in Japan closely, Mo’unga ensures them that his health and fitness have been near-perfect so far in his three-year stint at the Toshiba Brave Lupus.
“I haven’t had any niggles. The body has been good – I don’t know if that’s the rugby I’m playing now or whether it’s because we get more rest and bye weeks. But my body is holding up really well.
“Physically, apart from breaking my hand last year in the semifinal, I haven’t had any injuries since I’ve been in Japan.
“Other than that, I’m feeling pretty good, man. I’m feeling pretty fit.”
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