“It was just great for to be back playing for the team that I love back home in front of my family and friends,” Mo’unga told Sky Sport after the match.
“It was a tough ending to that game. It was probably a tough start for myself actually, but just great to be back out there and be playing rugby again.”
It was his first appearance in New Zealand since guiding the Crusaders to the 2023 Super Rugby title before beginning a three-year stint in Japan with Toshiba Brave Lupus.
His return also signals the start of his bid to force his way back into Dave Rennie’s All Blacks squad ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Rennie was keen to include the 56-test playmaker in his squad for next weekend’s opening test of the Greatest Rivalry tour in South Africa, but New Zealand Rugby’s eligibility rules prevented his selection until October after he opted to sign an 18-month contract rather than a longer-term deal.
Now back in provincial rugby with Canterbury, Mo’unga is eligible for All Blacks selection once again and could receive a call-up if injuries strike during the Greatest Rivalry tour.
However, a recall is far from guaranteed after Rennie named four first five-eighths in his 44-man squad.
Ruben Love, Damien McKenzie, Beauden Barrett and uncapped Josh Jacomb are all ahead of Mo’unga in the current pecking order, meaning he may need to bide his time before earning another opportunity in black.
Defending champions Canterbury are back in action next Sunday against Otago.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.