With scoreboard pressure on his team, a last-minute Richie Mo’unga kick has saved the All Blacks from defeat in Dunedin, all the while deepening Eddie Jones’ Wallabies dilemma in 2023. Unable to hold an – at times – 14-point lead, the Australians may take some positives from their 23-20 defeat. Yet in the crucial run […] READ MORE
Tag: Richie Mo’unga
Richie Mo’unga Japanese contract post-RWC a lifestyle change over Rugby
An announcement that the Richie Mo’unga Japanese contract post-RWC is a lifestyle change, as much as an opportunity to maximize earning potential now, is a valuable revelation. It means that the conclusion of the Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific season is likely his last for the red and blacks. Completing 2023, Richie Mo’unga will have accrued […] READ MORE
Straight back to work: Super Rugby Trans-Tasman form must continue
By direct comparison between the Australian and New Zealand franchises, rugby fans can find where Super Rugby Trans-Tasman form has been established. Each competition crowned their own separate Super Rugby champions Saturday night; the second year that local teams claimed each nation’s domestic trophies. Now, the two opposing forces collide in a cross-border format that […] READ MORE
Rugby Championship 2019: All Blacks vs Springboks analysis
The first game of the second week saw the two premier teams in Rugby Championship 2019, New Zealand and South Africa, clash in what has historically been tight, combative game. In last year’s tournament, only two points separated the teams both times they faced each other. Rugby Championship 2019 It was an equally cagey affair […] READ MORE
Bledisloe Cup secured after record All Blacks victory margin
Prized as highly as the Webb Ellis Cup, the Bledisloe Cup was secured [yet again] in Sydney, as the All Blacks defeated the Wallabies 5-43. Playing on hostile ground, it was hyped as a test in the balance. Pundits had more confidence in the Australian team holding their ground on home soil. Holding off a […] READ MORE
Winning Mentality: Kiwi rugby’s Mental Edge
With twenty-five minutes on the clock in the highest-profile game of rugby in months, the Crusaders went down six points. Rieko Ioane had just demonstrated his trademark finishing ability, by carrying two Crusaders with him as he muscled his way over the tryline for the Blues. Ioane’s try had handed his team the ascendancy, (with […] READ MORE
Richie Mo’unga answers call in local derby victory
When he was needed most, Richie Mo’unga answered the call of his Crusaders team, to direct them towards a win in a local derby victory over the Blues. The All Blacks and Crusaders first-five was again at his prominent best, in driving his side for the entire 80 minutes. And that fact will be where […] READ MORE
Rugby World Cup Team of the tournament (so far)
Here is Robert Rees‘ Rugby World Cup team of the tournament (so far). 20 games into the 42 match event, and plenty of World Rugby’s superstars have shone. After gauging the results and performances, this is in Rob’s opinion, the outstanding XV players in the Rugby World Cup, so far. 1. Jefferson Poirot (France) The French […] READ MORE
Barrett/Mo’unga combination flourishes in Bledisloe Cup win
Some considered Beauden Barrett at fullback a waste. Yet as the Barrett/Mo’unga combination flourishes after the Bledisloe Cup win on Saturday night it may be now seen as a masterstroke, particularly after the 36-0 victory over Australia. The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year had been assigned the fullback jersey (for the opening tests […] READ MORE
Highlanders dismantled by confident Crusaders; 2019 Super Rugby playoffs
In the first match of the 2019 Super Rugby playoffs, it was a more confident Crusaders team that dismantled a strong challenge from the Highlanders, 38-14. In a masterclass performance, led by Richie Mo’unga and Kieran Read, the Crusaders began their Finals Series with a positive outcome. It came via a difficult and thorough challenge […] READ MORE