Dave Rennie’s insistence that changes will be made for the fourth Test to re-energise a squad feeling the effects of a gruelling tour has opened the door for Richie Mo’unga to play his first Test since the 2023 World Cup final.
The head coach said this week he wants to “share the load” ahead of Sunday's Test in Baltimore and few have carried the weight of responsibility, not to mention the burden of playing big minutes in high-pressure Tests, than Ruben Love this year.
Rennie also said changes would have been made regardless of the result in Soweto last weekend and so it appears the time is right for Mo’unga to prove he still has what it takes three years after that agonising one-point defeat to South Africa in Paris.
Love has started all six Tests in the No.10 jersey this year and has impressed hugely given his relative inexperience in the victories over France, Italy and Ireland in the Nations Championship and in the win over the Boks at Ellis Park on this tour.
However, the 25-year-old showed signs of wear and tear in the second Test defeat in Cape Town and looked a little overwhelmed again in the loss in Soweto at the weekend.
His yellow card late in the first half at FNB Stadium appeared harsh but he was close to conceding one in the immediate build-up anyway.
Rather than tackle the hard-charging Ox Nche, Love attempted to intercept the prop’s pass in what was a risky move that ultimately failed.
Catch the ball and Love is potentially under the posts for a likely seven-pointer. Knock the ball on in that position and it is a yellow card offence. Love did neither and, while the All Blacks scrambled superbly on defence, the damage was done.
It should be noted that Mo’unga is an excellent defender and is extremely good under the high ball and both aspects of the game have been of concern for Rennie’s men recently.
Lastly, Love also missed five points from a kickable penalty and conversion with the wind behind him in the 29-24 defeat at FNB Stadium, although overall he has kicked well this year.
Mo’unga, ineligible for the initial squad of 44 for this tour due to his time in Japan, was called up five weeks ago as an injury replacement for centre Billy Proctor after the second tour match. He started in the victory over the Lions in Johannesburg but has not featured otherwise.
Rennie’s plan for Mo’unga’s return, rejected by the New Zealand Rugby board, was to alternate between the 32-year-old and Love at No.10 in the first three tour matches and make his selections for the Tests based on form.
In an All Blacks’ social media post after 1News broke the story of Mo’unga’s call-up to South Africa, Rennie said: "Richie is the obvious choice as a replacement. His job now is to get in and learn our systems, get his head around the detail and earn the right to play."
Mo’unga, who has played 56 Tests, has presumably done that.
Sunday’s Test at M&T Bank Stadium remains hugely important for the All Blacks, who can’t win the series but can deny South Africa that achievement.
Mo’unga’s experience in the wake of the potential season-ending injuries to skipper Ardie Savea and Quinn Tupaea would also be helpful.
There is also the immediate future to prepare for - two Bledisloe Cup Tests against Australia next month and November’s Nations Championship finale in the United Kingdom – not to mention next year’s World Cup.
The All Blacks team to play in Baltimore will be announced early Friday NZT.
As Rennie said a few weeks ago, Richie is the obvious choice.
Possible All Blacks team for fourth Test
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Ethan Blackadder, 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett. 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Damian McKenzie. Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. George Bower, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23. Josh Moorby.
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