Mo’unga earns Rennie’s backing after All Blacks beat Lions 41-35

Richie Mo’unga’s return to the All Blacks has received a positive assessment from coach Dave Rennie after New Zealand defeated the Lions 41-35 at Ellis Park on Tuesday night. The flyhalf made his first appearance for the national side since moving back from Japan.

Mo’unga joined the All Blacks squad in South Africa after Billy Proctor was injured. His return came soon after he played for Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship, where he scored the decisive try against Auckland earlier this month.

Rennie said Mo’unga showed enough in his first match back to suggest he will become stronger with additional time on the field. The coach was encouraged by the flyhalf’s involvement during the seven-point victory over the Lions.

The next step for Mo’unga is developing his combinations with the players around him. Rennie stressed that returning to the No. 10 position is not only about the individual role, but also about reconnecting with teammates he has not played alongside regularly.

Mo’unga is 32 and has returned to the New Zealand Rugby setup after agreeing to rejoin the Crusaders. His Canterbury appearance and the match against the Lions have given him competitive minutes as he settles back into the All Blacks environment.

Rennie’s approval reflects a promising start rather than a finished process. Mo’unga is expected to benefit from further opportunities to build familiarity with his teammates, while the All Blacks move forward from their 41-35 result at Ellis Park.