All Blacks news: Richie Mo’unga eyes Wales return after calf injury

All Blacks news this week centres on Richie Mo’unga. The fly-half says he should be available for Saturday’s Nations Championship meeting with Wales in Cardiff. It would be his first chance since a calf injury wrecked his plans five weeks ago.

“It’s an eight-to-10-week injury so I’ve done well to get to this point but with soft tissue and calves you’ve got to stay diligent,” Mo’unga told the New Zealand Herald in Bath. “I’ll be available this week hopefully.” New Zealand have not yet named their team for Cardiff, so his selection is not confirmed.

All Blacks news: Mo’unga close to a return

Mo’unga was set to run the All Blacks attack in last month’s Bledisloe Cup double. He then tore his calf in training. With Ruben Love ruled out for the year, Dave Rennie moved Damian McKenzie from full-back to fly-half. Beauden Barrett slotted into the back three.

That set-up delivered three straight wins, two against the Wallabies and one against Scotland. New Zealand beat Scotland 43-21 at Murrayfield last Saturday. Our Scotland 21-43 New Zealand match report has the full story of that game.

Date	Match	Result
Sat 7 Nov	Scotland v New Zealand, Murrayfield	New Zealand won 43-21
Sat 14 Nov	Wales v New Zealand, Cardiff	Next up

The calf injury that cost him the Bledisloe

The All Blacks kept faith with Mo’unga while he was injured. They took him to Australia and named him in the northern tour squad, even though he could not face Scotland. He says that support was key to his recovery.

“I was really grateful they kept me in Auckland post my injury and took me to Australia,” he said. “That’s a big reason why I’m here because the effort they put into my rehab and assessing me and making sure I was giving myself the best chance.”

A stop-start comeback

Mo’unga returned to New Zealand rugby from Japan this year, but his comeback has not gone to plan. He first played for Canterbury, then joined the All Blacks in South Africa as an injury replacement. He played a midweek game against the Lions and started the fourth Test defeat to the Springboks in Baltimore.

“It hasn’t been smooth,” he said. “I’ve played four games while being back in New Zealand since June – two for Canterbury. That’s unusual for me because I’ve been pretty good with injuries.” He added: “I haven’t been able to string matches or minutes together and get those lessons that I would like by playing.”

How Mo’unga sees his role

Mo’unga said the team’s current style suits him. “It’s how you grew up watching the All Blacks play. It suits the team and personnel we have,” he said. He also stressed the need for balance, with clinical kicking alongside the wide attacking game.

He does not want to change what is working. “I want to contribute to the team and make it really seamless, continuing the good job that Damian and the others have been doing,” he said. “I’m just really wanting to get some game time.” He added: “I want the team to be successful and no matter where I sit, I still have a job to do.”

Wales next in Cardiff

Rennie has other selection questions before the trip to Wales. Jordie Barrett failed a head injury assessment against Scotland, and Will Jordan has a suspected hamstring problem. We covered both in our All Blacks injury news on Sunday.

Wales head into the game after a 28-21 win over Japan, as reported in our Wales 28-21 Japan match report. Follow every Nations Championship story on our international rugby hub.