All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo’unga expects the Wallabies to have “grown an arm and a leg” after their win against the Springboks.
Australia’s 42-38 victory in Perth was their fifth Test without defeat under coach Les Kiss and Mo’unga expects them to arrive at Eden Park full of confidence for next Saturday’s opening Bledisloe Cup clash.
“After watching the Aussies on the weekend, it should be really exciting,” Mo’unga told Newstalk ZB.
“Even if you take the weekend’s result out of the equation, any Aussie team you play against is a real threat.
“I think after the weekend, they would have grown an arm and a leg. So we’ve got a big challenge ahead as a team, but one we’re really looking forward to. We can’t wait to get stuck in.”
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Mo’unga returned to the All Blacks during the recent Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the Boks, having last played Test rugby at the 2023 World Cup.
The 32-year-old admitted there had been plenty to adjust to under coach Dave Rennie.
“A lot was new,” he said. “I came back in, and I met half the team for the first time; the likes of a Wallace Sititi and a Peter Lakai – those guys weren’t there when I was last here, or even in Super Rugby.
“As well as meeting new teammates for the first time, meeting new coaching staff, and just the different way the All Blacks are operating now, it was really good to get in and learn.
“One thing still remains the same: it’s the high intensity, the pressure of the environment, and the level of rugby that you have to be playing.
“One thing that [Rennie] has given us is free rein and license to play what we see. He likes a game that’s high tempo, and that we express ourselves and use our skills to do that.”
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With Ruben Love ruled out of the Bledisloe Cup series through injury, Mo’unga could have a significant role to play, although he is taking nothing for granted.
“With Ruben out, it’s still not clear-cut that I’m the one to do the job,” he insisted.
Photo: Caean Couto/Getty Images
