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All Blacks: Richie Mo’unga reveals the moment in Springboks Test which reminded him why he ‘wanted to come back’ Richie Mo’unga believes he is ready for the rigours of All Blacks rugby after he was named to start at fly-half in their clash against the Lions in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The encounter at Ellis Park will be New Zealand’s last match against South Africa’s United Rugby Championship (URC) sides and they will be highly motivated to secure victory. This, after they retained their unbeaten status on Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour with an emphatic 33-16 victory against the Springboks, also at Ellis Park, and following impressive triumphs over the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls. Mo’unga, who completed a stint with Japan Rugby League One outfit Toshiba Brave Lupus to return to New Zealand, joined the All Blacks’ touring squad as an injury replacement for Billy Proctor after the Stormers game. Despite shining during his time in Japan, Mo’unga revealed that it was always his plan to make his All Blacks return as he reflected on the decision. “Probably sitting in Japan one night watching the Six Nations and just understanding there’s no better feeling than being in the arena,” he said. Missed playing for the All Blacks “In Japan, rugby is a lot different to that. A lot of things are beautiful about rugby in Japan, but when you’re watching Test matches over in Europe and watching the All Blacks play, you never get that feeling (in Japan).” The 32-year-old joined Toshiba Brave Lupus after the All Blacks suffered a narrow defeat to the Springboks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in France and he admitted that lifting the Webb Ellis Cup with New Zealand was always in the back of his mind while he was in Japan. “One reason coming back was obviously to win a World Cup, but to not have any regrets of ‘geez I wish I gave it another crack or maybe there was a bit more to give’,” he said. Mo’unga revealed that he had no regrets about making the move to Japan and feels he is a better person after experiencing a different environment. “Japan gave me a lot of perspective, a lot of different experiences that I haven’t experienced in New Zealand,” he said “I’ve grown so much as a person, as a father and as a husband which has been pretty special the last couple of years.” When asked if he feels he is a better rugby player than when he left New Zealand, Mo’unga said: “Yeah, of course. Wiser, a little bit older, as some of the boys have already mentioned. All Blacks team: Richie Mo’unga returns as Dave Rennie makes mass changes for Lions showdown ‘This is a really special circle to be in’ “I’ve just come back really grateful. I knew I missed it, but coming back in you realise this is a really special circle to be in. I’m just really savouring every moment and just not going to take these things for granted.” Although he wasn’t part of the All Blacks’ matchday squad during Saturday’s Test win over the Springboks, Mo’unga reveals that during the singing of New Zealand’s national anthem, he remembered why he made the decision to return to international rugby. “It was that moment where I was like ‘this is why I wanted to come back’,” Mo’unga said. “That feeling of adding to the legacy and that feeling of testing yourself against the best in the world.” He admitted that getting the opportunity to wear the famous black jersey again is a great feeling. “Yeah, it’s really special,” Mo’unga said. “It’s been a long time, but I’m just really grateful to be back in this environment and thankful to Rens [coach Dave Rennie] and the coaching management for giving me this opportunity and also having trust that I can also do a job as well.” Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust. Mo’unga is excited about the prospect of making his All Blacks return and determined to deliver the goods against the Lions. “This game was always coming for me. There was always going to be a return and I wasn’t sure when it was, but mentally I prepared for a return in the black jersey and I’m ready,” he said. “It’s important you play the game, not the occasion, and just go out and be free.” Rennie is also adamant the 56-Test playmaker won’t let the team down.