'I'm ready': Richie Mo’unga returns to the All Blacks

Richie Mo'unga will play his first game for the All Blacks since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. 

The 32 year-old was a late addition to the squad in South Africa as an injury replacement for Billy Proctor after playing two NPC games for Canterbury.

Mo’unga’s been named at first-five for the final midweek match against the Lions in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning.

“This game was always coming for me,” Mo’unga said at the pre-game press conference.

“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.”

Mo’unga has spent the past three seasons with Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan and believes he’s returning to the black jersey as a better player.

“Yeah, of course,” Mo’unga said without hesitation.

“Wiser, a little bit older, as some of the boys have already mentioned. But just come back just really grateful. I knew I missed it, but coming back in, you realise, this is a really special circle to be in." 

Mo’unga is happy to bide his time waiting for a chance to play test rugby, with Ruben Love firmly entrenched as the All Blacks’ first-choice first-five.

“I’m competitive, I want to be the best and I know there’s a process to that,” Mo’unga said.

“I'm really competitive, but I'm also a team man. Whoever gets the role gets the role, and if it's not me, I'll do anything I can to help them succeed."

Three players are backing up from the first Test against the Springboks with halfback Kyle Preston, loose-forward Peter Lakai, and Anton Lienert-Brown included in the reserves after also coming off the bench in Sunday’s win at Ellis Park.

Otago and Highlanders prop Saula Ma’u has been named to make his All Blacks debut off the pine.

Prop Ethan de Groot and lock Josh Lord have been ruled out of Sunday’s second test against the Springboks in Cape Town following a nasty headclash in the first test.

Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Jamie Hannah have joined the squad as injury cover, and have both been included in the 23 to face the Lions.

Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the side, with either he or Sam Darry set to be included in the match-day 23 for the second test as a replacement for Lord.

George Bower, who impressed off the bench in the first test, is set to start in the absence of de Groot, with Xavier Numia likely to come into the reserves.