Richie Mounga in line for late All Blacks call-up on South Africa tour

Richie Mo’unga could yet be drafted into the All Blacks squad to face the Springboks on the Greatest Rivalry tour, despite initially being ruled ineligible for selection.

The fly-half was overlooked for the original touring group after spending the past season in Japan with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, which meant he did not meet New Zealand Rugby’s selection criteria at the time the squad was named.

However, All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed that the 56-cap playmaker remains firmly on the radar and may be added to the squad if an opportunity opens up in the No. 10 jersey.

Eligibility route through Canterbury

Mo’unga is set to take an important step towards a possible international return this weekend after being named on the bench for Canterbury in the NPC.

That appearance will bring him back into the New Zealand domestic system, satisfying the eligibility requirements that currently stand between him and a recall to the national side.

Rennie, who announced his squad for the tour of South Africa earlier in the week, made it clear that Mo’unga is being viewed as potential cover at fly-half once those conditions are met.

“There is a chance,” Rennie said when asked whether Mo’unga might still join the group.

“He will play for Canterbury this weekend, and then once he’s done that, if we had an injury at 10, then he’s an option to come in.”

Love preferred at 10, McKenzie offers cover

In Mo’unga’s absence, Rennie has turned to rookie Ruben Love as his starting fly-half during the Nations Championship.

Love has been handed the No. 10 role in matches against France, Italy and Ireland, as the All Blacks look to build depth in a pivotal position ahead of the clashes with the Springboks.

Damian McKenzie has also featured prominently in Rennie’s backline plans, starting at fullback but offering versatility with his ability to step into the first-receiver role if required.

The combination of Love’s promotion and McKenzie’s flexibility has allowed the All Blacks to navigate the early stages of the campaign without Mo’unga, while still leaving the door ajar for his return.

Experience on standby

Should an injury strike at fly-half during the tour, Mo’unga’s recall would inject significant Test experience into the All Blacks’ backline.

The playmaker, who has featured in 56 Tests, would provide Rennie with a proven game manager against a Springboks side renowned for its physicality and tactical pressure.

For now, the focus remains on Mo’unga’s outing with Canterbury, but his performance there is likely to be watched closely by the All Blacks coaches as they weigh up their options for the remainder of the Greatest Rivalry tour.

With eligibility hurdles about to be cleared and squad depth under constant review, Mo’unga finds himself on standby – not in the original travelling party, but very much part of New Zealand’s contingency planning for their meetings with South Africa.