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‘It’s what you dream of’: What Richie Mo’unga thought during match-winning kick
By Finn Morton
Win, lose or draw, the sun will always come up in the morning. But, as All Blacks fans will undoubtedly agree, it shines a little bit brighter whenever New Zealand beat fierce rivals Australia.
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Following on from last weekend’s 38-7 blitz of the Wallabies at the world-famous MCG, the All Blacks were talked up as a near certainty of completing a Bledisloe Cup double in Dunedin.
But, as they always do during a Bledisloe Cup series, the Wallabies came to play.
Much to the surprise of more than 28,000 fans in attendance at Forsyth Barr Stadium, the Test was decided by a last-minute penalty goal from All Blacks playmaker Richie Mo’unga.
Having lined up a tough penalty attempt about 40 metres out and 12 in from touch, a focused Richie Mo’unga began to approach the ball with the weight of a nation on his shoulders.
But the playmaker wasn’t feeling the pressure.
The game clock had just ticked over the 79-minute mark when Mo’unga stepped towards the ball. Almost immediately, the crowd let out a deafening cheer – they knew the attempt was good.
Ice in his veins 🥶
🎥: @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/Yu7YK1NLQH
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 5, 2023
Mo’unga was the hero as the All Blacks extended their winning streak to four Tests from as many starts this year, while the Wallabies’ losing run continues under coach Eddie Jones.
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About an hour after full-time, a humble Richie Mo’unga spoke with reporters about his last-minute heroics that decided Bledisloe II.
“It’s what you dream of as a young kid, kicking goals in the backyard and at the park,” Mo’unga told reporters.
“For it to come off, I sort of had no fear of any outcome when I had the ball in my hand. I’m just grateful for our front row, they were able to put me in the position to do that.”
Mo’unga is no stranger to clutch shots at goal. Earlier this year, the champion Crusader iced the Super Rugby Pacific final with a penalty attempt after the siren in Hamilton.
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The Crusaders were already winning the decider when Mo’unga struck gold, it must be said, but it still brought an end to a titanic clash with the Chiefs.
The ability to overcome the pressure of that scenario, and actually embrace it, is simply an elite skill. Mo’unga is happy to be that guy for the All Blacks – kicking is part of his job.
“It’s no different from any other kick,” Mo’unga added. “For me, I’m just having to be real clear and focused on where I want to hit the ball and the intent of how I strike.
“I was walking the field before the game and I went through four kicks, I walked out and I didn’t actually kick a ball – I didn’t have a physical ball with me.
“One of those four kicks was a kick, in my head, to win the game.
“I grabbed the ball and went back and I was pretty at peace with where I was because it wasn’t the first time I’d been there, I was ready for that moment.
“In my head I was pretty confident that I was in the right place with my kicking to get the kick over.”
The All Blacks found their mojo when replacement Mo’unga entered the fray during the second half. Damian McKenzie, who started in the No. 10 jersey, had a tough afternoon in Dunedin.
Mo’unga brought some direction to the All Blacks’ attack, and the pivot also kicked well around the park. The 29-year-old even impressed under the high ball.
The history books will remember that this Test was decided by a clutch penalty goal at the death, but Mo’unga’s influence goes so much further than that.
“Needed to be direct and just wanted to come on with a bit of accuracy and discipline in what we were trying to achieve as a team.
“Just sort of strip things back a bit and made things simple for the boys, and through that, we were able to build pressure at the set-piece with the ball in hand which is pretty cool.”
That was the All Blacks’ final Test on New Zealand soil before heading off to Europe for their final warmup match ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France.
The All Blacks will announce their Rugby World Cup squad on Monday.
Spot on regarding the shift in the game when RM came on. DM isn't a test player, too inconsistent spraying kicks all over the park, falling off tackles. Big hole here coming up when Richie goes overseas
C’Mon you only have 3 players from previous week’s winning team and you’re saying they, ABs, went in as favourites, that doesn’t say much about the quality of Aussie rugby at the moment does it. And it just shows you that NZR don’t take test matches seriously anymore, they’re only interested in the World Cup.