Richie Mo'unga weighs in on the All Blacks' new attacking game plan

56-Test All Blacks playmaker Richie Mo’unga is impressed with the “exciting” way Dave Rennie’s side are going about their business, after winning seven from seven in 2026.

Even without featuring for the All Blacks under Rennie, the Canterbury first-five has gotten a feel for the optimism surrounding the camp on Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa.

The last time Mo’unga pulled on the All Blacks jersey was in 2023 in France at the Rugby World Cup, a moment that will soon be in the rearview mirror.

The All Blacks first-five will start in the playmaking roles alongside longtime international teammate Beauden Barrett to take on the Lions at Ellis Park on Wednesday.

It will be the first opportunity to pull on the black shirt since returning home, after joining the All Blacks environment on the back of two wins for Canterbury in the Hilux NPC.

According to Mo’unga, it hasn’t taken him long to adjust to the new game plan, and when doing so, the 32-year-old has become excited about the attacking blueprint Rennie and the coaching staff are trying to implement.

“I was really observant, while not even being in camp, of the style and brand that they want to play. And then also, while being in here, I’ve had so much help getting up to speed on where things are at and obviously the game plan and what the team’s wanting to do on Tuesday,” Mo’unga told reporters in Johannesburg.

“I love it (the game plan). I love the ability for the boys to have the licence to play what they see. And then some of the DNA around defence and getting the bodies in front, it’s really exciting.”

Being forced to wait for his opportunity has presented Mo’unga with several challenges, but it’s a process that has eventually worked in his favour.

“Early on, it was a [whirlwind of emotions]. There were so many different scenarios of how the year could pan out for me.

“But the one thing that I knew was I could only control what I could control, and looking back at the last couple of months, it’s actually been a perfect way to come back into this environment; having two NPC games, getting back into a rhythm back home in the Canterbury environment, and then back in here.

“I obviously wanted to be here, but I was really at peace with what was going on.”

The longer the All Blacks game-driver has spent away from the black jersey, the longer he’s missed the Test match environment representing his country.

“[I’m] wiser, older, as some of the boys have already mentioned. But just really grateful; I knew I missed it, but coming back, you realise this is a really special circle to be in. I’ve just really savoured every moment, and not going to take these things for granted.”