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Richie Mo’unga expects to face a Wallabies side full of confidence All black people host your trans-Tasman rivals at Eden Park next weekend.
Mo’unga, who has faced the Wallabies a dozen times in his All Blacks career, praised the men from across the ditch for their hard-fought win over the Springboks last weekend as he outlined his expectations for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series.
The 42-38 win was their fifth in a row to start Les Kiss’ time at the helm of the former world champions and Mo’unga expects it will put a spring in their step going into the famous annual series.
“After watching the Aussies over the weekend, it should be really exciting,” he told D’Arcy Waldegrave on Newstalk ZB after the All Blacks announced their 34-man squad for the two Tests.
“Even if you take the weekend result out of the equation, any Aussie team you play is a real threat. I think they’d grow arms and legs after the weekend. So we’ve got a big challenge ahead of us as a team, but we’re really looking forward to it. We can’t wait to get stuck in.”
The All Blacks are on an 11-game winning streak against Australia, dating back to the very beginning of the decade. Mo’unga has not faced the men in gold since a match-winning performance off the bench in Dunedin ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
During that time, his national team burned through one head coach, and introduced another ahead of the current season, through different philosophies, systems and personnel with each change.
“There was a lot that was new,” said Mo’unga, reflecting on his long-awaited return to the team last month. “I came back and met half the team for the first time; the likes of Wallace Sititi and Peter Lakai – those guys weren’t there when I was last here, not even in Super Rugby. Apart from meeting new team-mates for the first time, meeting the new coaching staff and just the different way the All Blacks operate now, it was really good to come in.
“One thing still remains the same: it’s the high intensity, the pressure of the environment and the level of rugby you have to play. You have to work at a really high level to be part of this team.”
The playmaker says his role with the team is “just business as usual”, working hard and making sure he enjoys the ride. The first of those points was only raised by the introduction of new head coach Dave Rennie.
“I’ve had a few conversations with him during my years in Japan, but to be in a team that he’s leading, it’s been really great. One thing I really enjoy about Rens is how honest and transparent he is with each of the players. He’s really honest with what he expects. And he’s just a good man and he’s got really big plans for me and the way we All Blacks play this way and us ex-team want to play ball. as a player who loves to do it as well.
“One thing he’s given us is a free hand and a license to play what we see. He likes a high-tempo game, and for us to express ourselves and use our skills to do that. But he’s also got a couple of rugby philosophies that, you know, when it comes to the breakdown and the support and the work ethic on the pitch, it’s pretty clear.
“Those are the things he gave us, and with the rest he lets us run and use our skills and our vision to do the rest.”
With Ruben Love injured, Mo’unga is expected to have a big job in the upcoming Test series. However, with the All Blacks squad not assembling until Sunday, the 32-year-old is not getting ahead of himself.
“When Ruben came out, it’s still not clear if I will do the job,” he insisted.
