Flyhalf Mo'unga to join All Blacks in South Africa

Richie Mo'unga is set to join the All Blacks' tour of South Africa after New Zealand Rugby (NZR) cleared the flyhalf to play. Mo'unga had been playing in Japan for the past three years and was ineligible under NZR's strict selection policy for overseas players.

His eligibility was reinstated after he returned to New Zealand and played for his home province, Canterbury. Mo'unga replaces center Billy Proctor, who is returning home due to a shoulder injury. "We really feel for Billy. He has had a great season so this is frustrating for him. It is the harsh reality of our game," All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said in an NZR statement. "Richie is the obvious choice as a replacement. His job now is to get in and learn our systems, get his head around the detail and earn the right to play."

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We really feel for Billy. He has had a great season so this is frustrating for him. It is the harsh reality of our game.

Mo'unga has already made an impact since his return, scoring the match-winner against Auckland and then guiding Canterbury to a 19-15 victory over Otago to secure the Ranfurly Shield for a record 18th time. This move comes as Damian McKenzie, one of the four flyhalves already in the squad, sprained his ankle in the recent match against the Sharks. However, Rennie confirmed McKenzie would be fit for the first test against the Springboks on August 22.

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Richie is the obvious choice as a replacement. His job now is to get in and learn our systems, get his head around the detail and earn the right to play.