Richie Mo’unga is set to make his long-awaited return to action in New Zealand with Canterbury in Saturday’s National Provincial Championship (NPC) clash with Auckland in Christchurch.
The 32-year-old fly-half has been named on Canterbury’s replacements bench for their tournament opener.
Mo’unga is currently ineligible for All Blacks selection after plying his trade with Japan Rugby League One outfit Toshiba Brave Lupus since representing New Zealand at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Richie Mo’unga to make second Canterbury debut
Widely regarded as one of the game’s leading playmakers, Mo’unga was at the forefront of the Crusaders’ attacking onslaught when they won seven consecutive Super Rugby titles in a row between 2017 and 2023.
After finishing his three-year stint with Toshiba Brave Lupus last month, Mo’unga spent some time on the sidelines nursing a calf injury but is now fully recovered and set to make his first appearance in the NPC since 2020.
He said he is looking forward to returning to action for Canterbury under the guidance of their new head coach Alex Robertson.
“At the end of the day, it’s just footy, and I just love playing rugby, whether it’s here in Christchurch or in Japan,” Mo’unga told reporters after a Canterbury training session on Tuesday.
“I’m a competitor, I’m someone that always wants to be better and striving to be a great, and that’s at all levels. This week it’s NPC.”
Mo’unga has been barred from being selected for the All Blacks’ 44-man squad for their eagerly anticipated Greatest Rivalry tour to South Africa until he has played at least one game for Canterbury in the NPC.
Could still feature on Greatest Rivalry tour
This is due to a self-imposed New Zealand Rugby ruling, but All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie said earlier this week Mo’unga could be added to his squad.
“There is a chance,” he responded when asked if Mo’unga could still feature on the tour. “He will play for Canterbury this weekend, and then once he’s done that, if we had an injury at 10, then he’s an option to come in.”
Mo’unga has also given his thoughts about the possibility of being a late addition to the All Blacks squad.
“There’s a lot to it, and to be honest, my mind has thought of every possible scenario around what could happen over the next couple months,” he revealed recently.
“And it sort of boils down to one thing – I can’t control any of that. So, the best thing I can do is just be ready and play some good rugby.”
Apart from Mo’unga, Canterbury also have two other All Blacks representatives in their matchday squad for the clash with Auckland.
They are promising lock Jamie Hannah, who made his international debut off the bench against France in Christchurch earlier this month, and one-Test All Blacks utility back Dallas McLeod, who is set to join PREM Rugby outfit Exeter Chiefs at the completion of Canterbury’s NPC campaign.
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Canterbury team to face Auckland
Canterbury 15 Chay Fihaki, 14 Ngane Punivai, 13 Dallas McLeod, 12 Jone Rova, 11 Kurtis MacDonald, 10 Andrew Knewstubb, 9 Louie Chapman, 8 Torian Barnes, 7 Corey Kellow, 6 Dominic Gardiner, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Tahlor Cahill, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Brodie McAlister (c), 1 Finlay Brewis
Replacements: 16 Manumau Letiu, 17 Lewis Ponini, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Liam Jack, 20 Finn McLeod, 21 Tyson Belworthy, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Tevita Latu
Date: Saturday, August 1
Venue: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:10 local (08:10 BST, 07:10 GMT)
Referee: tbc
Assistant Referees: tbc
TMO: tbc