Mo'unga returns to All Blacks with Rugby World Cup 2027 redemption as his sole target

Richie Mo’unga has made his long-awaited return to the All Blacks with one ambition overriding all others: lifting the Webb Ellis Cup at Sydney in November 2027. The 32-year-old fly-half signed an 18-month deal with New Zealand Rugby, the Crusaders and Canterbury after becoming eligible again in August 2026 following a provincial appearance for Canterbury, who went on to win the NPC.

Mo’unga was the starting No. 10 when the All Blacks lost the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final to the Springboks 12-11 in France — a margin of a single point that has stayed with him ever since. “To come so close to winning it was just devastating,” he said. “2023 was just devastating. It was really hard to take in terms of not long after going to Japan and starting over there. You’re constantly just thinking of what could have been, or what could you have done better?”

After that final, Mo’unga spent three years with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, adding two Japan Rugby League titles to the seven Super Rugby crowns he had already accumulated. The silverware kept coming, but the one prize that matters most to him remained out of reach.

His route back into the All Blacks setup began with a 2:00 am message from head coach Dave Rennie in August 2026. Mo’unga linked up with the squad in South Africa for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, appearing against the Lions in Johannesburg before starting the fourth Test against the Springboks at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

The timing of his return coincides with World Rugby marking the one-year countdown to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which will feature 24 teams in an expanded format, with the final scheduled for November 13 in Sydney.

For Mo’unga, the decision to come back was as much about avoiding future regret as it was about chasing a title. “A big part of the comeback, I have my eyes set on winning a Rugby World Cup,” he said. “I definitely think a main driver is just not wondering what could have been if I didn’t come back. This environment is awesome, it pushes you and really urges you to be the best you can and I think I missed that.”

“Just not knowing where the ceiling is for me, I just don’t want to have any regrets post-rugby around, could I have done more? Could I have been better? Coming back has given me the motivation for that.”