1
'It's very fair': Richie Mo'unga responds to All Blacks fans in turmoil
By AAP
Richie Mo'unga says the All Blacks are blocking out the outside noise of their unhappy fans and focusing squarely on snapping their three-match losing streak when they face the Springboks again in Johannesburg this weekend.
The flyhalf has played off the bench during New Zealand's disappointing run, with Beauden Barrett preferred in the No.10 shirt for the two losses to Ireland and last week's 26-10 defeat by world champions South Africa in Nelspruit as they dropped to No.5 in the world rankings.
Coach Ian Foster and his team have been subjected to a bombardment of criticism since losing the July series to the Irish and Mo'unga said he respected the right of fans to vent their frustrations.
"It's very fair," Mo'unga told New Zealand media in South Africa.
"They care about our team and care about our results, but it's also fair of us to not [get carried away with] what they think because we have a role to do, a role to play, and hearing that isn't going to help us at this moment. Completing a job will help us win games."
The near frenzy of criticism had been tough on the younger players, and on the families of the players back in New Zealand, but had not impacted him much, Mo'unga added.
"I'm chomping at the bit to have another crack, but I'm also at the point where the outside noise doesn't matter for me," he said.
"It doesn't affect me. I'm at a stage now if you're not in our squad, I don't really care what you think, with all respect.
"We're trying our best, and we know it's not good enough for All Blacks standards."
Mo'unga came on as a 52nd minute replacement for the injured Jordie Barrett last week, slotting in at flyhalf with Beauden Barrett moving to fullback.
With Jordie Barrett still suffering from his ankle problem, there is a good chance that Mo'unga will be named to start at Ellis Park as New Zealand seek only a second win in their last six matches.
"I'm really looking forward to hopefully getting a crack this weekend against the South Africans to show what we can do," he said.
"This is the level you have to adapt, and if you don't you're going to keep coming off second best, which we have the last couple of games."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Stuart Lancaster takes giant stride towards immediate Racing 92 exit
3
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh on Joe Schmidt’s future post-Lions
4
Glasgow coach jumps to defence of McDowall who faces possible huge ban
5
Latest Comments
Get world rugby to buy a few Islands in the Mediterranean. Name them Rugby Island #1, #2, #3 etc. All teams are based there all season and as the knockouts progress, losers go home for a few months rest. Sell the TV rights to any and all.
Have an open ballot/lottery each week to fly fans out to fill the stadiums. They get to enter the draw if they pay their taxes and avoid crime which would encourage good social engagement from rugby supporters as responsible citizens. The school kids get in the draw if they are applying themselves at school and reaching their potential.
Or maybe there is some magic way to prioritise both domestic rugby and international rugby by having the same players playing for 12 months of the year...
Go to commentsPerhaps he would have been better off going under the knife earlier, rather than travelling to Europe to hold tackle bags.
Go to comments