Mo’unga on trick play: ‘Something had to happen’

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Flyhalf Richie Mo’unga has revealed the thought process behind his audacious kick off that helped spark the Crusaders’ comeback against the Blues on Saturday.

The Blues had expended their lead to 15-9 thanks to a try by centre Rieko Ioane, but Otere Black’s conversion attempt from straight in front was charged down by Braydon Ennor.

Galvanised by Ennor’s effort, Mo’unga took it upon himself to get the Crusaders back in control with an innovative restart that saw him regather possession and run deep into the Blues’ half of the field to get his team on the front-foot. The Crusaders would score a couple of phases later to take what proved to be an unassailable lead.

Post-match, Mo’unga said he felt it was on him to spark the Crusaders and that’s why he went for the kick off.

‘Sometimes I like to put things on myself, that was one thing I felt I could have done to change the momentum and change the way the game was going,’ Mo’unga said.

‘I had just been told Will Jordan was down, and David Havili was down getting checked out on the in-goal. I sort of felt something had to happen. It is not in my nature to go into my shell. When I go into a shell I am not playing my game.’

Photo: Screenshot

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SA Rugby magazine