Richie Mo’unga’s bid to return to New Zealand soon is currently off the table after the respective parties failed to reach an agreement, according to a report.
The world-class flyhalf signed a three-year deal with Toshiba Brave Lupus ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, joining the Japanese club after their second-place finish at the global tournament.
Having established himself as the All Blacks’ first-choice No. 10, it was a blow to incoming head coach Scott Robertson, who worked with him at the Crusaders.
The All Blacks’ current opening options
Robertson switched between Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett last year in the pivot role in 2024 but struggled to find the right formula and revealed he was open to bringing Mo’unga back home.
Therefore, talks between New Zealand Rugby, the 30-year-old and his club began last year but, according to 1NewsTalks have since broken down and he will at least honor his contract with Toshiba.
“Discussions stalled at the end of last season,” said Mo’unga’s agent, Cam McIntyre, of LittleGIANT Sports. 1News. “There are currently no changes to the terms of Richie’s contract (at Toshiba).”
Mo’unga is currently contracted with Toshiba until June 2026, meaning he could still return to New Zealand and fight for a place ahead of the World Cup.
However, at that point, the world tournament in Australia would be just a year away and Robertson may have already finalized his fly-half plans.
Last year, there were suggestions that the Crusaders legend had turned Mo’unga’s head by becoming All Blacks boss, opening up the possibility of an early return, but as things stand, that is now out of the question. to happen.
“I signed for three years with Toshiba and my intentions were: ‘Yes, I’m going to do three years,'” the fly-half said. Stuff in July 2024.
“(But) obviously, with ‘Razor’ (Robertson) coming in and saying he’d love to have me back home, it’s given me another chance to think about where I am with my football.
“I obviously had a very successful year my freshman year and I’m trying to weigh the options of what would be best for my family, but also what would be best for my football.
“So those conversations are still ongoing and, to be honest, there will be no rush before we all make a decision.”
Richie Mo’unga joins All Blacks on Scott Robertson’s first-team selection day
How it affected the All Blacks’ third-choice center
There is now a risk that NZR’s desire to pursue Mo’unga has done more harm than good. For starters, McKenzie and Barrett might have felt undermined by talk about the former Crusaders star.
Then there is the case of Harry Plummer, who was a third-choice center in 2024 and made his Test debut in the Rugby Championship.
Plummer has since announced that he will leave New Zealand Rugby after the next Super Rugby Pacific season ends having signed a three-year contract with Clermont Auvergne.
In fact, the 26-year-old cited conversations about Mo’unga as a factor in his decision to leave.
“There is talk of the return of Richie Mo’unga. That didn’t seal my fate but it weighed on me a little,” he said. New Zealand Herald.
Plummer also added: “I feel like New Zealand rugby is in a position where they showed their hand a little bit with their first five players.
“There’s Beauden, with a wealth of experience, and we saw what he did on the world stage on the northern tour. DMac has been playing some incredible football and during the Rugby Championship he showed exactly what he can do and the impact he brings to a game.
“Being in that environment I felt like I probably wasn’t going to get an opportunity, a proper opportunity than I had imagined.”
It turns out that New Zealand rugby may now not have any of the players available for the World Cup.
READ MORE: All Black departure reveals Scott Robertson’s key call ‘weighed on me’ and contributed to shock exit
