Richie Mo'unga recalled to All Blacks squad for Bulls test

Richie Mo'unga has been called up to the All Blacks squad for the upcoming match against the Bulls in Pretoria. The 32-year-old flyhalf joins the touring party following a shoulder fracture sustained by Proctor during the team's tour opener in Cape Town last Friday night.

Proctor suffered the injury during a 38-21 win over the Stormers. The loss of the player has created an opening for Mo'unga to re-enter the national setup. He has not featured for the All Blacks since the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final, where New Zealand lost to the Springboks.

Mo'unga's absence from the national side followed his decision to sign with Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan Rugby League One. During that period, he surrendered his position in the All Blacks jersey. However, after concluding his time in Japan, he signed an 18-month contract to return to the Crusaders. His recent performances for Canterbury in the NPC have made him eligible for selection once again.

Management identified Mo'unga as the primary choice to fill the vacancy in the squad. The flyhalf's immediate priority will be arriving in the camp to study the team's systems and grasp the necessary technical details to earn his place on the field. While the injury to Proctor is viewed as a frustrating development, the focus remains on the upcoming fixtures.

Mo'unga is expected to arrive in Johannesburg on Friday. This arrival precedes the All Blacks' scheduled encounter with the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday. The team has expressed support for Proctor's recovery process and hopes he will be fit for the end-of-year tour selection.