In the wake of Billy Proctor's injury, speculation has surged around the potential inclusion of Richie Mo'unga in the All Blacks squad for the upcoming series against the Springboks. Former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen has expressed firm belief in Coach Dave Rennie's forward-looking strategy should Mo'unga be called up. Recently rendered eligible for international play after participating in an NPC game, Mo'unga's potential recruitment is seen as a strategic, rather than a mere reactionary, move.
Rennie has yet to confirm the selection of Mo'unga as Proctor’s substitute, maintaining a strategic ambiguity about his choices. When pressed about the possibility of selecting Mo'unga, he offered a coy smile and reiterated, "We're working through that process."
"It doesn’t just happen straight away, you’ve got to have people around you understanding exactly what you want and how to drive it, and he will be one of the big drivers when he plays, so he has to have a really good understanding of it,"
Hansen detailed on the Rugby Unity podcast that the decision to include Mo'unga would be a testament to long-term planning, emphasizing the need for a deliberate and informed integration of Mo'unga into the team dynamics. Despite the urgency created by Proctor's absence, Hansen suggests that any decision taken would be reflective of broader strategic goals rather than mere immediate needs.
The host, David Pembroke, queried if the potential inclusion of Mo'unga was aimed more towards preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup than the immediate series. Hansen's affirmation was categorical: "100 per cent." However, he refrained from predicting whether Mo'unga would indeed join the squad, stating, "I think it could go either way, I’m not sure what they’re thinking and only they will know but they will make the right decision for what they think is right for the team."
Despite the gap left by Proctor, the All Blacks are not short on midfield options. The team has a robust lineup including Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai, and Rieko Ioane, who also brings considerable experience playing at outside centre. This depth allows some flexibility in decision-making about Mo'unga’s potential inclusion.
Hansen added, "If you’re looking at the group and say to yourself you’ve got Lienert-Brown, Tupaea, Barrett, Rieko Ioane and [Leroy] Carter can play centre as well I think, maybe you would make the decision to bring Mo’unga over, depending on how important you think he is to the future. They’ve brought him back from Japan and you would imagine they think he is important."
In conclusion, the decision surrounding Richie Mo'unga’s participation in the upcoming series with the Springboks transcends immediate tactical needs, potentially setting the stage for future strategies. As the All Blacks navigate this decision, the blend of seasoned players and emerging talent remains their cornerstone, ensuring that any choice made is well-considered and aligned with long-term objectives, keeping the team's competitive edge sharp in international rugby.
