Richie Mo’unga has steered the Crusaders through the most dominant era in Super Rugby history, claiming six titles across the competition’s various recent formats with the opportunity to extend that championship run to seven over the coming weeks.
But as it does for many of New Zealand Rugby’s top talent, the conclusion of another World Cup cycle will bring with it the conclusion of Mo’unga’s playing career in New Zealand. At least for the next three years, the length of the All Black’s new contract with Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan.
The enticement of playing under Scott Robertson in the next era of All Blacks rugby wasn’t enough to sway Mo’unga into staying in New Zealand, his priorities are firmly on providing the best life and future for his family.
The start of the playoffs means any game now may well be Mo’unga’s last, including Saturday’s quarter-final clash with the Fijian Drua, who have already tasted victory against the Crusaders in 2023.
But the 29-year-old has had all season to prepare for the emotions of farewelling the club he’s represented for the past eight years.
“I’ve had moments this year where I’ve had to think about that,” Mo’unga told media ahead of the quarter-final. “I just feel really lucky and blessed to be part of an organisation that’s given me so much.
“I think I needed this team. Just thinking about finals footy, rugby’s pretty brutal, it doesn’t favour fairytale endings.
“It favours those who work hard and prepare well. I’ve had to put my mind on that and nothing else really.
“This team needs me to be concentrated and focussed on what’s at hand, rather than getting a bit teary and emotional – which the boys have seen me at this year.
“I’m just excited to be in this position and finish well.”
The Crusaders are heavily favoured to progress to the semi-finals, but they face an unpredictable Fijian Drua team who have dominated at home and struggled on the road. Mo’unga is under no illusions the nature of “finals footy” only adds to the unpredictability of the occasion.
“Finals footy is very different, anything can happen.
“We have to be really prepared. For myself, whether it’s my last game or last couple of games, I’m not distracted by any of that. It’s around what I have to do for this team.”
