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All Black spotted in Origin camp as NSW seek edge

Angus Crichton of the Blues and team mates warm walk onto the field during a New South Wales Blues State of Origin training session at Blue Mountains Grammar School on June 20, 2024 in Katoomba, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Just days before their State of Origin decider with Queensland, New South Wales have brought All Black Richie Mo’unga into their camp.

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After losing game one, the Blues levelled the 2024 series at the end of June with a 38-18 victory over the Maroons, which included a record 34-0 halftime score, meaning it all comes down to the contest on Wednesday 17 July in Brisbane.

With the match fast approaching, coach Michael Maguire has enlisted Mo’unga into their camp to provide some “one-on-one” help to the team.

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Scott Robertson analyses his first Test series as All Blacks coach | Steinlager Series

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Scott Robertson analyses his first Test series as All Blacks coach | Steinlager Series

The Japan-based No.10 was seen kitted out in the Blues’ training kit during his time in camp.

Speaking to 9News in Australia, the 56-cap All Black said he is “just being around and floating” amongst the squad, and that there was “nothing really forced, just everything quite authentic and natural.”

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The 30-year-old has put his international career on ice for now after signing for Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan following the World Cup last year, guiding them to Japan Rugby League One glory in his first season.

The All Blacks began life without Mo’unga recently with a 2-0 series win over England, with Damian McKenzie starting both Tests in Mo’unga’s erstwhile No.10 jersey.

Despite originally signing a three-year deal in Japan, the former Crusader has hinted about a possible early return.

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“I signed for three years with Toshiba and my intentions were, ‘Yep, I’m going to do the three years’,” Mo’unga said, as reported by Stuff’s Paul Cully.

“Obviously with ‘Razor’ coming along and saying he’d love to have me back home, it’s just given me another opportunity to think about where I’m at with my footy.

“I am loving my time in Japan. It’s awesome.

“But then for the All Blacks who have just been named, you get a bit of FOMO and you start to wonder what it would be like if you were in the team playing.

“I feel like I’m in my prime, so having that thought of not being able to play for the best team in your country is really hard to take, but it’s the decision I made heading over to Japan.

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“I knew that these are the things that I would have to sacrifice in order to get those experiences with my family and to be refreshed with my footy.

“So, it’s all part of the greater plan.”

@nrlonnine The Blues have turned to an All Blacks LEGEND 🔥 #9WWOS #NRL #Origin ? original sound – NRL on Nine

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Comments

4 Comments
S
Steve 128 days ago

Good on you Ritchie, look after you and yours and disregard any comments on why your there, big picture is your there and these keyboard warriors are not.
Tauke bro

F
Forward pass 130 days ago

EX- All Black. Id love to know what he will teach the League boys in 1 session tho. Maybe how to sign a big OS contract then whinge about NZs selection policy???

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Hellhound 28 minutes ago
France put World Cup pain behind them with unbeaten run in November

France is starting to look like they are finally over their WC headache, although they were lucky that NZ had a very bad game. The Argies as usual is one game good, the next bad. If they can sort that out and be more consistent, they could become contenders for the WC.


NZ, Argentina (if they are more consistent), and now the Wallabies too is in an upward curve (can they be consistent?), as well as Fiji(as inconsistent as Argentina) looks like possible contenders. The Boks will be as usual a huge threat to defend their title. Things are looking up for the South, so the North should rightfully beware of the Southern Hemisphere threat.


With the French looking dangerous, the English with their close runs (mostly a mindset problem) and the Scottish seems to be the NH main contenders. The Irish is good, but not excellent anymore. They are more overbearing and with their glory days mostly gone with old players hanging on by a thread, by 2027 if they don't start adding in the younger players, they won't make it past yet another WC Quarter final. The problem is that their youngsters, while good is nothing special.


That is just 8 teams without the Irish that can become real WC contenders. Lots of hickups to be sorted still for these teams, excluding the Boks to become a threat. Make no mistake, the top Tier is much closer than people realise and the 2027 WC will be a really great WC, possibly the best contended WC ever.

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