‘Big boys’ Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie can handle Richie Mo’unga return, says NZ coach Scott Robertson

WELLINGTON – New Zealand coach Scott Robertson has welcomed the internal competition Richie Mo’unga’s return will bring, while offering cold comfort to the players who may lose the race for the All Blacks’ coveted No. 10 jersey.

After a trophy-laden stint in Japan, Mo’unga will come home to New Zealand next season and bid to recover the starting fly-half position in the lead up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

That could see Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie make way for a player who won seven championship trophies under Robertson at the Canterbury Crusaders.

But Robertson said everyone was just “really, really pleased” with the return of Mo’unga.

“New Zealand rugby is pleased in general that he’s coming back into our game,” he said on Aug 12.

“He’s going to be around for a Rugby World Cup. He’s served our country for a long time and he’s going to come back and do it again.”

Mo’unga left New Zealand for Japan on a lucrative, three-year deal with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo after helping the All Blacks reach the 2023 World Cup final in France under former coach Ian Foster.

Robertson used McKenzie initially as starting fly-half in his first season in 2024 but two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Barrett has since supplanted the Waikato Chiefs playmaker.

Asked about how Barrett and McKenzie might be affected by Mo’unga’s return, Robertson said the team came first.

“They’re big boys,” added Robertson.

“That’s professionalism, we’re here to compete. The jersey is bigger than everyone. Everyone knows it’s always earned.”

Meanwhile, the coach also confirmed that loose forward Wallace Sititi has been ruled out of the Rugby Championship opener against Argentina while still recovering from ankle surgery.

Sititi, who was the All Blacks Player of the Year in his debut 2024 season, missed the entire France Series with the injury and had hoped to be back for the Aug 16 match in Cordoba.

He faces at least another week on the sidelines, though, opening the door for a potential recall for Peter Lakai or a debut for Simon Parker.

Robertson, who names his squad on Aug 14, may opt for continuity in the starting back row, though, having deployed enforcer Ardie Savea at No. 8 and Du’Plessis Kirifi at openside flanker in the third and final Test against France, after Luke Jacobson was a late withdrawal due to injury.

The All Blacks won that match 29-19 in Hamilton to whitewash the French 3-0.

New Zealand have lost three out of their last 10 matches to the Pumas, including the 2024 Rugby Championship clash in Wellington, but have never been beaten in Argentina in 40 years of Tests against the South Americans.

Robertson said the 38-30 upset in Wellington was on the minds of his players.

“They’re a team with a lot of experience, a lot of them play in Europe, they’re really well-coached, and they play with passion,” he told reporters of Argentina.

“Anyone can beat anyone on the night, you’ve got to be at your best – every game. That’s the exciting part of this tour.”

In other rugby news, Henry Pollock’s impressive breakout year in international rugby has seen the Northampton Saints back row rewarded with an enhanced England contract for the first time.

The 20-year-old has made only one England appearance, scoring two tries as a replacement in a 68-14 Six Nations thrashing of Wales in March.

But that lone cap off the bench, allied with fine late season form for Northampton, earned Pollock selection for the British and Irish Lions’ victorious tour of Australia.

Fin Baxter, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Curry, Elliot Daly, Joe Heyes, Tom Roebuck, Will Stuart and Tom Willis have also taken up enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) deals, which are reported to be worth £150,000 (S$260,000). REUTERS, AFP