Mo'unga's Return Pleases NZ Coach

Robertson confident Barrett and McKenzie can handle added competition for No. 10 jersey

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WELLINGTON - New Zealand coach Scott Robertson has welcomed the internal competition Richie Mo'unga's return will bring, while offering cold comfort to the players who may lose the race for the All Blacks' coveted No. 10 jersey.

After a trophy-laden stint in Japan, Mo'unga will come home to New Zealand next season and bid to recover the starting fly-half position in the lead up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

That could see Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie make way for a player who won seven championship trophies under Robertson at the Canterbury Crusaders.

But Robertson said everyone was just "really, really pleased" with the return of Mo'unga.

"New Zealand rugby is pleased in general that he's coming back into our game," he said on Aug 12.

"He's going to be around for a Rugby World Cup. He's served our country for a long time and he's going to come back and do it again."

Mo'unga left New Zealand for Japan on a lucrative, three-year deal with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo after helping the All Blacks reach the 2023 World Cup final in France under former coach Ian Foster.