'That’s my drive': Richie Mo'unga on returning to NZ in 2026

Earlier on this year, when the Crusaders and All Blacks announced the return of 56-Test All Black first-five Richie Mo’unga, it was clear that Scott Robertson saw him as a key piece to the puzzle for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The experienced playmaker signed an 18-month contract with New Zealand Rugby from the middle of 2026, until the conclusion of the 2027 season.

Mo’unga will finish up with the Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan, before returning to New Zealand to play for Canterbury in the 2026 NPC competition, and then the Crusaders for 2027.

According to the contract, Mo’unga will only be eligible for All Black selection in October 2026, but the first-five isn’t ruling out the historic Greatest Rivalry tour just yet.

“I get the rules that have been put in place and I guess I have to come to grips with that is what it is. But yeah, the South African tour would be something special to be part of,” Mo’unga told Patrick McKendry in a 1News interview just after the All Blacks v Ireland Test in Chicago.

“Hey, we’ll see what happens. I’m still very optimistic that something might happen and I might be available for that tour. So, I’m still hopeful.”

“I’m going home to give myself the best chance to play for the All Blacks again but I understand it’s not a given.

“That South African tour is actually something I’d love to be part of.”

With Mo’unga’s experience, he knows the won’t be able to just walk back into the All Blacks environment, and he says that he’s willing to play a whole season for Canterbury to earn his spot back in the All Blacks.

“I really want to get a good season under my belt here. Going back, it’s about earning the respect of current All Blacks and current All Black management and letting them know I’m still capable of playing some good rugby,” Mo’unga told 1News.

“It’s hard seeing articles when I re-signed with New Zealand Rugby about being possibly being the No.10 for the All Blacks or who’s in the way.

“I have no expectation of walking straight back into that team. I’m willing to play a whole season for Canterbury to earn the right. That’s my mentality. I’m not just walking in… I really want to earn the respect and trust – because the team has changed so much.

“That’s my drive. But yeah I’m excited about seeing Razor and the management. I spent a lot of time with them, so I can’t wait.”

Not only did the former Crusaders first-five win a number of titles under Robertson and most of the current All Blacks coaching staff, he has continued his success in Japan wth the Brave Lupus.

The Brave Lupus have won back-to-back titles with the 31-year-old running the side at first-five, something which Mo’unga believes has helped develop his leadership skills.

“I guess the areas I’ve grown are areas [that] aren’t really to do with my [playing] abilities. I’ve become more of a leader.

“I’ve had to step up in a lot of different areas off the rugby field and that’s to try to lead this team in terms of the way the schedule is run or what our game plan looks like for the first six weeks; how I can make our halfbacks better or what skills our team need to be better at to try to be competitive this season.

“I’d say those areas are the most important when you come to League One because they can make the biggest differences and how your team is feeling mindset-wise when you’re heading into a game.

“I’m working with our forwards a lot more than I usually would back in New Zealand because sometimes lineouts and scrums struggle here so you come up with plans to help that and find ways around it.

“It has taught me a lot about rugby and that there is not just one way to play it.”