Dual playmaker roles continue to evolve

Dual playmaker roles continue to evolve

Dual playmaker roles continue to evolve

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That was all on the back of last weekend’s record 26-47 loss to Australia in Perth.

Mo’unga said on Thursday that it wasn’t possible to fix all the issues that were exposed in Perth and they had been working carefully through them during the week.

There was an eagerness to get out and rectify things but the important thing was channelling that to being ready at 7.35pm on Saturday and not on the Wednesday or Thursday before the game.

The continuing growth of his combination with fullback Beauden Barrett was part of the intriguing mix.

“It’s not something you’re really clear cut on, there’s no end vision that’s a perfect way of what it looks like,” he said.

“I think we’re still trying top figure that out and that’s the beauty of having me and Beaudy on at the same time. There’s different situations that happen and having two ball players on the field and two kicking options, I think that’s a bonus as well.

“When we are forced to play with the ball and try to chance our arm a bit it means that Beaudy can rely on me and I can rely on him to bounce a few things off,” he said.

The whole process of stepping into the first five-eighths role was a long held dream for Mo’unga.

“I’ve always dreamed of this, I’ve always dreamed of being the No.10 for the All Blacks. It’s what I can remember from when I was little and it’s just the hunger that I have to be in this team environment.

“That’s what I strive for and it’s what I keep working towards so the next thing is I’ve been given this opportunity and it’s to go out there and be me,” he said.

Mo’unga said he was excited for his Crusaders teammates wings Sevu Reece and George Bridge being given starting positions.

“They are really deserving of this opportunity and I think they’re going to do a great job this weekend.”

Mo’unga said Reece was a witty character whose knowledge of the game could be under-estimated.

“His energy on the ball is awesome, the fact that he can turn something out of nothing is what’s given him the year that he has had and he’s a humble kid. He comes in and works really hard and just wants to learn.

“George Bridge is someone who time and time again just performs every week and at a high performance and as an athlete that is sometimes hard to do but he has shown he has a mature head and he is able to do his role consistently and with a lot of effort. I love that about George,” he said.

Hooker Codie Taylor, who is a substitute this week, said the forwards had kept things very simple during the week and had nailed a few things they needed to and as a whole the forward pack was excited by the challenge.


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