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'Discussions stalled' on Richie Mo'unga's early All Blacks return
By Ned Lester
After a year of speculation, it appears Richie Mo’unga will not be returning to New Zealand early from his three-year Toshiba Brave Lupus deal.
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The star playmaker made the move to Japan following New Zealand’s heartbreaking loss to South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, having put pen to paper prior to Scott Robertson’s ascension to the All Blacks throne.
Given the duo’s immense success at club level, speculation that Mo’unga was feeling drawn back to Kiwi shores for another crack in the black jersey was met with plenty of excitement in New Zealand.
However, news broke on Wednesday night that the contract discussions between New Zealand Rugby and Mo’unga’s League One club had broken down.
While there was reported willingness from the Brave Lupus to let their marquee man go early, it now appears Mo’unga will see out his three-year commitment to the club.
1News ran the story, landing a comment from Mo’unga’s agent, Cam McIntyre, of LittleGIANT Sports.
“Discussions stalled at the end of last season,” he told the news station, adding: “There is currently no change to the terms of Richie’s contract [at Toshiba].”
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Further insight was gained from a reported source close to Mo’unga, who claimed the stalled negotiations had disappointed the 30-year-old, not only due to his All Blacks ambitions but for how the news might reflect on him. The source added that Mo’unga is content in Tokyo.
It is understood by 1News that a meeting between Mo’unga, New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson and Scott Robertson was hosted by Barve Lupus late in 2024, and the parties could not reach an agreement.
Robertson has remained steadfast in his proposal for NZR to loosen eligibility criteria for All Blacks selection, specifically urging the union to keep an open mind over individual cases that should be considered for exemption, something many fans interpreted as being about Mo’unga in particular.
The seven-time Super Rugby champion told Stuff during last year’s July Series he was weighing up the options over his future.
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“I signed for three years with Toshiba and my intentions were, ‘Yep, I’m going do the three years’.
“[But] obviously with ‘Razor’ [Robertson] 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 obviously had a really successful year in my first year and I’m trying to weigh up the options of what would be best for my family, but also what would be best for my footy as well.
“So, those conversations are still happening and to be honest there’ll be no rush before we all come to a decision.”
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The elephant in the room is that Fergus Burke compared his $NZ contracts with the offers from the UK by the "Genealogy Scouts", and surprisingly the £Stg won the day by a long shot. Ridiculous that both England and Scotland were bidding for his services even though both nations have gun fly halves in their squads. So the one really good player behind Mounga and McKenzie is snatched up by greedy clubs with the bonus (and connivance) of the national coaching group's "you also have wink wink International prospects".
This ridiculous grandparent rule is being rorted by the NH sides. It should be changed to just parents.
Can we now put this to bed?
No better way to publicly inform all your eligible number 10s back home you have not faith in them than this.
Good job NZRU.
Wouldn’t it be cheaper/easier to convince Burke it’s a no-brainer playing for the All Blacks?
Alternatively, Richie could just become fat and transparent if he really wants to get released from his contract earlier.
He’s being way too thin and opaque.
Discuss.
This was a bit of a nothing story with the reporting using nothing more than the commensense people were already using.
It does not been that Mo'unga is not coming back sooner. A deal could still be struck at any time. It just means they didn't get one struck last year/yet, in case people were thinking news was being held back.
That is right. It does not mean that Richie Mo'unga will not play for the All Blacks again. He was hugely missed by the national team last year. McKenzie does well considering he is a converted 10. Goal kicking great. Beauden Barrett for all his years playing at first-five , kicks aimlessly too often . His best rugby is off the bench. It is Richie Mo'unga's all round ability that is missed. Especially his hoodwinking of defences.
we dont neeed him back here . we just need him in the all blacks
Calm down, he'll be back playing for the All Blacks next year. No need to undermine Super Rugby for that.
We dont need him at all. We have 5 years of him to look back on to remind us of his inabilities if we ever consider anything different.
I just not sure it would be worth it for one extra year but I think it likely they had known they were going to need to crunch their numbers and this talk of having to buy out his contract would have killed any deal.
In saying that, I wonder now if they'll even be able to afford signing him for the WC year. And if they want him to have a meaningful contribution for the WC they really had to sign him now. I wonder if JRLO tightening their coverage and no one being able to watch Mo'unga might hinder any deal too.
(Scene: a sushi bar in Tokyo. RICHIE, RAZOR, and ROBINSON are lapping up some sashimi.)
RICHIE: Great food, yeah? But god, I miss home.
(RAZOR and ROBINSON look at each other meaningfully)
RAZOR: I’ve missed you, Richie. I think it’s time you come back. Wear the black jersey again.
RICHIE: Sounds wonderful! I’d love that! Tell me more.
ROBINSON: The verticals of this strategic initiative are self-evident to all stake-holders. We anticipate enormous dividends and learnings from the brand equity lean-ins alone. You could call me excited. Even jazzed.
(An uneasy silence falls on the table)
RICHIE: Man, this really is some superb sashimi. I love Tokyo. Who’d want to leave?
(EXEUNT)
Funniest thing I've read today. Gold JG.
Normally it's a lack of words and inspiration that Robinson imparts but OK.
😁😂🤣