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Richie Mo'unga inks World Cup contract extension with New Zealand Rugby

By Alex McLeod
(Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/CPS Images/Getty Images)

All Blacks star Richie Mo’unga has recommitted to New Zealand Rugby [NZR] for another year as he targets a place at next year’s World Cup in France.

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Mo’unga announced on live television on Friday that he has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him with the All Blacks, Crusaders and Canterbury in 2023.

“Some good news, for me and my family, that we’ve re-signed for next year’s season in 2023,” the newly-turned 28-year-old told Sky Sport ahead of the Crusaders’ 28-15 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Reds in Christchurch.

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Mo’unga was absent from that match as he dealt with a rib injury, but was confident that he will “good to go” for next week’s quarter-final match against the Reds at Orangetheory Stadium.

“For me, I think it’s really important I just look after myself, keep myself in the best shape possible so I can be in the conversation for quarter-finals next week.”

NZR’s retention of Mo’unga adds to their long list of All Blacks who have signed on until next year’s World Cup, where Mo’unga is expected to partner Beauden Barrett as New Zealand’s first-five options.

Since his first-class debut for Canterbury as a teenager in 2013, Mo’unga has become a key figure in the New Zealand rugby landscape.

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A five-time Super Rugby title-winner with the Crusaders, who he debuted for in 2016, Mo’unga has been crucial in the recent success of the Christchurch-based franchise.

That much is reflected by his status as a three-time Super Rugby Player of the Year award-winner, a feat that helped him become an All Black in 2017.

After an international debut against a French XV in Lyon five years ago, Mo’unga made his test debut against France in Dunedin in 2018, and has gone on to play 32 tests for the All Blacks.

During that time, he was New Zealand’s starting first-five at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, and has notched more than 50 appearances for Canterbury – with whom he has won four NPC titles – as he narrows in on his 100th match for the Crusaders.

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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