Analysis - Rugby's worst kept secret finally was confirmed today when it was announced that Richie Mo'unga will return to New Zealand next year. On the surface, it appears to be that Scott Robertson's plan to be four players deep in each position for the next World Cup is ticking along nicely, as well as the fact that a player of Mo'unga's calibre still desires to pull on the black jersey.
However, the fact that Mo'unga left at all and the unprecedented efforts have been made to get him back is still obviously a touchy subject. It is telling that the news dropped on Thursday, at a time when Robertson is unable to face media as the All Blacks are in transit to Argentina. It was left to the Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge and now fully redeemed coach Rob Penney to front up, which was really a breeze as it's only good news for them.
Tellingly, Mansbridge did let slip that he didn't expect to be delivering that good news.
"No…we always work hard on making this place a place you want to call home," he said when asked if he had been confident of the seven-time Super Rugby champion returning, as rumours had swirled about a potential move for Mo'unga to Moana Pasifika and other NZ Super Rugby Pacific teams.
Richie Mo'unga walks past the World Cup after losing the final to the Springboks, 2023. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2023 www.photosport.nz
"We bleed the culture into the walls as best we can and hopefully it gets under the skin. He had a choice, and we're stoked about (his) choice."
For his part, Penney's future may now have been confirmed as a long term coach rather than the placeholder everyone thought he would be.
"I think it's great for New Zealand rugby that he's back, adding to the depth…he's part of the Crusader legacy," said Penney, alluding to the fact that Robertson will have some tough calls to make once Mo'unga is available for test selection late next year.
Richie Mo'unga. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
While most had presumed that Mo'unga would see out his lucrative contract at Toshiba Brave Lupus, where he has won two consecutive Japan Rugby League One titles, the signing of Damian McKenzie through till 2029 was a sign that Robertson had future-proofed his playmaker stocks regardless. Mo'unga, McKenzie and Beauden Barrett probably don't all fit into the same All Black squad now, let alone next year, unless Robertson falls back into the same selection thinking started by Steve Hansen and carried on by Ian Foster.
Mo'unga likely said no to R360
Whatever the case may be, Mo'unga and McKenzie's employment status is a strong riposte to the continuing news of the rebel R360 competition's potential existence. Mo'unga would have been a prime candidate for R360, given that nothing was stopping him for taking an even bigger payday than the one he's already on in Japan.
The R360 concept is for a grand prix-style travelling league that would feature franchise-based teams and would be played over 21 weeks, featuring 16 rounds, commencing in September next year.
Mike Tindall, 2011. Photo: Richard Hood/Photosport
Fronted by former England test player Mike Tindall, R360 is supposedly backed by Middle Eastern funding - although it's not clear whether that includes the seemingly bottomless Saudi Public Investment Fund that's completely reshaped heavyweight boxing and given rise to LIV Golf. Whatever the case may be, it's still a long way off being anything more than an idea, especially given that the only players who have been linked to it are ones playing another code.
Reports out of Australia have said that several Wallabies and at least one All Black have been approached with eye-watering R360 salary offers.
But for now, the only relevant contract news that is actually confirmed is that of All Blacks re-signing and Mo'unga returning. If R360 is actually a thing and does have the resources it its purported to have, no one is quite believing it. Given there's no broadcast deal or big name current test players willing to put their names to it yet, that's hardly a surprise.
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