Mouth-watering No 10 duel could pave the way for Richie Mo'unga elevation
With Richie Mo’unga transitioning from an intense Super Rugby campaign straight into test football, and Beauden Barrett having spent the better part of a month on the training paddock after returning to New Zealand from Japan, it was no surprise that Mo’unga took hold of the All Blacks No 10 jersey at the start of the international season.
Mo’unga started four of the All Blacks’ five opening tests in the No 10 jersey with Barrett providing back-up off the bench and it looked like the debate had finally been settled – Mo’unga was NZ’s first-choice playmaker.
But when the team travelled to Australia, Mo’unga remained at home awaiting the birth of his child, and Barrett reacquainted himself with the fly-half role over the course of the Rugby Championship, with Mo’unga only making his return in the final game of the competition off the bench against South Africa.
While Mo’unga was handed to the No 10 jersey to take on USA, Barrett was ushered back into the starting line-up for Wales, reinforcing his position at the number one first five – although the fact that the game was Barrett’s 100th in the black jersey may have also played a role.
Against Italy this weekend, Mo’unga has again been entrusted with the keys to the backline and will be the 27-year-old’s final chance to stake his claim before the home stretch of NZ’s epic season, with key battles against Ireland and France looming.
The reintroduction of Sam Cane and Dane Coles to the All Blacks starting line-up is exactly the tonic needed to boost the team as they head into the final sprint of their marathon season. #AllBlacks #ITAvWAL
?? Gregor Paulhttps://t.co/KPrwR51GRk
— RugbyPass+ (@RugbyPassPlus) November 4, 2021
Following the team announcement on Friday morning (NZT), Foster suggested that the door certainly wasn’t slammed shut on the No 10’s chances – or any of the team named to play Italy.
“As a group of selectors, we’ve got a pretty clear plan for Ireland, but I’d be pretty surprised if there weren’t a number of players that start on Saturday that aren’t starting in one of the next two tests,” he said.
“I don’t see it being a closed door from whatever we do in the Irish test going into the French test. There’s two different styles of game there and we’ve got a number of options coming through.”
While Mo’unga’s decision to remain in NZ opened the door for Barrett, it was one that the All Blacks welcomed, and Mo’unga’s return to the squad has brought with it plenty of positives.
“He’s been great. We’re excited for him and his family with the birth of a baby, so there’s circumstances that the cards have been dealt in that space, and so he’s come back in and he’s been phenomenal,” Foster said.
“I was massively impressed with him last week when it became a little bit of The Beaudy Show with 100 tests and that, but Richie’s support behind the scenes was phenomenal, so I’m delighted he’s about to play and I’m sure he’s going to play to his normal levels, if not even better. He’s determined, everyone’s competitive, and he’s like everyone else, and he’ll certainly be eyeing up some time in the next couple of weeks as well.
“We’ve been really pleased with him, liked what he brought off the bench, and now I know that he’s back in the groove with us 100 per cent. I’m looking forward to seeing him start.”
All Blacks boss Ian Foster says the door is still open for players in head-to-head squad battles to feature against Ireland and France in the coming weeks. #AllBlacks #ITAvNZL https://t.co/Tavwsq9h26
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 5, 2021
Given Barrett and Mo’unga are both players who operate with plenty of flare, the All Blacks might get a little taste of their own medicine against Italy this weekend, with Montpellier fly-half Paolo Garbisi a likely starter.
Whether it’s Garbisi or the more experienced Carlo Canna, the All Blacks won’t be caught unawares by the Azzurri.
“I haven’t seen a lot of him,” admitted Foster of Garbisi, “but we’ve been very impressed with what we do see.
“Italy’s had quite a number of young 10s come through in the last seven, eight years. You look at Tommaso Allen and [Carlo] Canna, you’ve got a few guys that have come through that almost want to express themselves really, really well, and they don’t seem to lack confidence when they get on the international stage.
“We kind of see those same qualities [in Garbisi], so we’re very watchful of that, and whilst there’s a young man who’s impressed us, we also want to make sure we apply a bit of pressure there too.”
The All Blacks will kick off their match with the Azzurri at 2:00pm CET on Saturday (2:00am NZT on Sunday morning).
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
50 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
50 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
50 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
50 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
50 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
50 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
50 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments