Dave Rennie plans gradual return for Richie Mo’unga

Mo’unga is travelling to South Africa after making two appearances for Canterbury in the NPC, having returned home from Japan to meet New Zealand’s eligibility requirements for international selection.

Rennie says there is no plan to throw the experienced flyhalf straight into Test rugby, with Mo’unga instead being given time to settle back into the squad. His first appearance back could come against the Lions in Johannesburg.

"We have enough cover in the midfield, although we picked Rico as a winger he can still cover at centre. As for Richie, he is a player that is good enough to apply pressure for selection at some stage - maybe against the Lions."

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The 32-year-old has not played for the All Blacks since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.

Mo’unga now adds further depth to a highly competitive group of All Black flyhalves, joining Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Josh Jacomb. 

Rennie has made wholesale changes to his starting side for Saturday’s meeting with the Bulls, following the emphatic 54-nil win over the Sharks in Durban. 

Six players who featured against the Sharks have been retained in the matchday squad, as the coach continues to rotate his 44-man touring group and assess his options ahead of the Springbok Tests.

The All Blacks coach concedes that several positions remain open as he weighs up his combinations, but says the team selected to face the Bulls should not be viewed as a reflection of his likely Test XV for the Springboks.

"The side we're using to play against the Bulls will be quite different to the first test team. There is a lot of competition for places, for example there lies some tough decisions in the wing position."