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New Zealand Rugby re-sign star first-five Richie Mo'unga

Richie Mo'unga. (Getty Images)

One of the rising stars of New Zealand Rugby, All Blacks and Crusaders first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga, has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby, his Super Rugby club and his Canterbury province, inking a new deal through to 2022.

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The deal is one of many significant re-signings made by NZR in recent weeks, with the likes of Aaron Smith, Ngani Laumape, Nathan Harris, Liam Coltman, Patrick Tuipulotu and Dalton Papali’i all re-committing to the All Blacks, their respective Super Rugby franchises and provincial unions post-2019.

24-year-old Mo’unga made his provincial debut for Canterbury in 2013 and his Super Rugby debut with the Crusaders three years later.  He first played for the All Blacks against a France XV on the end-of-year tour in 2017 and made his full test debut against France last year in Dunedin.  He has played nine tests to date.

“I’m really fortunate to have had some amazing opportunities with Canterbury, the Crusaders, and the All Blacks, and I feel there is still plenty I want to achieve in New Zealand rugby, which was a huge motivation for me to re-commit,” he said.

“I’m really grateful to be part of a club that means a lot to me and that has given me the opportunity to better myself as a rugby player and as a person. I want to keep striving to be the best I can be, which ultimately is why I’ve made the decision to stay in this environment.”

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said: “Congratulations to Richie on his re-signing. He is developing into a very good rugby player and it’s great that he’s staying, as he is only going to get better and better.

“He made a great start last year in his first All Blacks season and we look forward to him going to an even higher level this year. It’ll be exciting to watch just how far he can go.”

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Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson echoed Hansen’s sentiments, adding: “Richie is world class – at just 24 years old he’s quickly established himself as an integral member of our squad and a leading first five-eighth in Super Rugby.

“We’re proud of his ability to step up and make big plays under pressure. He’s proved that over the past three seasons with the Crusaders and was rewarded for his consistency with selection in the All Blacks. Richie has a big future in the game and it’s exciting that his playing future is with the Crusaders.”

“We’re thrilled Richie has re-committed to the Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby beyond our 2019 campaign. Not only is Richie a talented athlete and a quality man, he’s a fan favourite and I know our supporters will be pleased to see such an exciting young player remain with this Crusaders team through the 2022 season,” Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge said.

Canterbury head coach Joe Maddock said: “Richie has had a rapid rise over the past few seasons, and we’re fortunate to retain a player of his immense talent. He’s a proud Canterbury man, and such a positive representative of red and black rugby, so we’re looking forward to seeing all that he’ll achieve in seasons to come.”

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Nickers 22 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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