Former All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson has reacted to Richie Mo’unga’s performance off the bench for Canterbury in the NPC.

The Friday night fixture against Auckland was the fly-half’s first game in New Zealand since leaving Aotearoa to sign for Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

He came off the bench for Canterbury and scored what proved to be a match-winning try as they clinched a 38-31 win in their first NPC appearance at the One NZ Stadium.

In doing so, Mo’unga became eligible for All Blacks selection once again, as it was a self-imposed requirement of NZ Rugby that he had to represent a New Zealand team before becoming eligible again.

Dave Rennie and his squad have already touched down in South Africa – minus Ardie Savea – for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series but the All Blacks boss could call on Mo’unga if there is an injury in the squad.

Disappointment from Richie Mo’unga’s return

Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Josh Jacomb are the current options at Rennie’s disposal for the All Blacks’ number 10 jersey, with the former starting in the role in all three of the Nations Championship matches in July. The head coach confirmed that Barrett would be starting the opening touring match against the Stormers.

“There is a chance,” Rennie said last week when asked whether Mo’unga could 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.”

After his heroics for Canterbury, legend All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson has expressed his one disappointment but was quick to add that Mo’unga is an ‘insurance policy’ for Rennie if he needs him.

“I was disappointed he wasn’t starting. He’s a player for me that needs to get as much time as possible as quickly as possible,” Wilson said on Sky Sports NZ’s Breakdown show.

“Andrew Knewstubb did a great job at 10. Canterbury came out of the gates really fast, looked really sharp, but Auckland looked good as well.

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

The show ran a poll while discussing whether Mo’unga should be added to the squad, and at the time of Wilson’s comments, 73% of the public said that Rennie should leave the squad as is.

Richie Mo’unga coy on possible All Blacks return for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour

“And it’s interesting that poll,” Wilson continued.

“The fact that people love what the All Blacks have done. They like what Ruben Love has done in the 10 jersey, and they’re going, ‘I don’t want to mess with that right now’. 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.”

Returning All Black Richie Mo’unga scores winner in provincial return despite ‘shaky’ start

Mils Muliaina’s verdict

Former full-back Mils Muliaina joined Wilson on the show and agreed that Mo’unga wasn’t needed in the squad right now. However, he was impressed with the playmaker’s cameo for Canterbury.

“He didn’t step up in the more traditional way that he usually does, right? He actually went and picked the ball up from a pick and go, and that’s how he scored,” he remarked.

“He’s a player whose presence is massive. He didn’t really do too much, and he didn’t need to. That’s the class of him; he goes in thinking, ‘Okay, well, I just need to run the game.’ Then a moment arises, bang, he takes it.

“To your point, I think the public is comfortable with where the All Blacks side is. Ruben Love has done a heck of a job, but it’s great to have that competition as well with Richie coming back and some other youngsters who are starting to put their hands up.”

Wilson concluded: “We want to see Josh Jacomb; he’ll get that chance whether it’s at 10 or 15 – I’ll be very interested to see where that happens.”

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