Broken hand to keep Richie Mo'unga out of Lions match
Richie Mo'unga has confirmed that he is out of the Australia and New Zealand Invitational side to face the British and Irish Lions in Adelaide next month due to his broken hand.
The former All Blacks No.10 was looking forward to playing in a game which will be as close to a Test match as he has experienced since his last one – the World Cup final defeat to South Africa in Paris in late 2023.
His broken hand did not prevent him playing for Toshiba Brave Lupus in their Japan One grand final victory over Kubota Spears recently – another victory to go with Mo'unga's championship win with the side last year – but his agent confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday that Mo'unga is out of the Lions match.
The 31-year-old had previously spoken of his wish to play in the fixture after speaking to former New Zealand coach Ian Foster, who will be an assistant for the AUNZ side.
'I miss the big Test match setting, the big arenas, this [AUNZ game] will be the closest I'll get to it while I'm in Japan,' Mo'unga told rugbyjp.com.
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In January, 1News revealed that Mo'unga had ruled out a return to New Zealand to play for the All Blacks this year.
He had left the door open to a comeback after encouragement from All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson but a breakdown in negotiations with New Zealand Rugby led to him re-committing to Toshiba for the final year of his contract, worth an estimated $2 million a year.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds including disposable vape ban, Auckland Airport meth find, and why Europe hates tourists right now. (Source: 1News)
Mo'unga was awarded player of the match in the final against Kubota, his performance helping continue a remarkable personal streak.
Since 2017, he has won a title every year – seven for the Crusaders and two for Toshiba, who are coached by former Crusaders coach and All Blacks captain Todd Blackadder.
The Sydney Morning Herald said Japan-based halfback TJ Perenara and back rower Shannon Frizell, Mo'unga's teammate to Toshiba, remained in contention to play at Adelaide Oval, alongside Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson who is due to play in the Super Rugby final against the Crusaders this Saturday.
The AUNZ game on July 12 will act as a dress rehearsal for the Lions seven days before the first Test in Brisbane.
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The Lions will also play Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, plus a match against a First Nations/Pasifika XV and four matches against the Australian Super Rugby Pacific sides.
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