'Remember, he's insurance': Richie Mo'unga firming as a back-up option for All Blacks

Ex-All Black winger Jeff Wilson believes that Richie Mo’unga has settled as an insurance option for the All Blacks during the South African tour, with the returning No.10 currently surplus to requirements.

Mo’unga played his first game back in New Zealand for Canterbury against Auckland in the Hilux NPC on Friday night, coming off the bench for a game-winning cameo.

After entering the field the 32-year-old is now eligible for the All Blacks but with the squad already in South Africa preparing to play the Stormers in Cape Town, it is looking unlikely Mo’unga will be called upon.

Wilson was “disappointed” that Mo’unga wasn’t starting for Canterbury and said that it was integral to get as much game time as possible in case the All Blacks need their “insurance” option.

“[He was] the difference in regards to the the last try, he scored, but for me, I was disappointed he wasn’t starting,” Wilson told Sky Sport’s The Breakdown.

“He’s a player that needs to get as much time as possible, as quickly as possible. Andrew Newstubb did a great job at 10. Canterbury came out of the gates really fast, looked really sharp, Auckland looked good as well. So I think both of those team are contenders.

“When it came down to it, they needed a moment from Richie Mo’unga, and they got it. And the more time he gets on the park, the closer he’ll be to being available if needed.”

The Breakdown’s viewers voted on a live poll overwhelmingly to leave Mo’unga in New Zealand with nearly 80 per cent voting to leave the squad as it is.

Wilson believed that showed that the public has faith in what Dave Rennie’s team is doing with Ruben Love as the new starter, who has just three caps in No.10 jersey so far.

“And it’s interesting that poll. The fact that people love what the All Blacks have done. I think they like what Ruben Love’s done in the 10 jersey, and they’re going ‘I don’t want to mess with that right now’,” he continued.

The other factor against Mo’unga’s selection is that Rennie took four first fives instead of halfbacks, with uncapped rookie Josh Jacomb getting a seat on the plane.

The depth is solid and it would require injuries to strike for a need to arise to call up Mo’unga while Wilson said there is merit in seeing what Jacomb can offer.

“Remember, he’s insurance. He’s great insurance to have, but he has to play. Put him on the park, start him if you’re going to get him up to speed,” Wilson said.

“We want to see Josh Jacomb play. You know, and he’ll get that chance, whether it’s a 10 or 15. I’ll be very interested to see.”