Latest news with #RichieMo'unga
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
All Black Frizell among first names for Aus/NZ combined side
Flanker Shannon Frizell, who started the 2023 Rugby World Cup final for the All Blacks, is one of the first four players named to take part in Lions' final pre-Test series match against a combined Australia and New Zealand who now plays for Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan, is joined fellow All Blacks David Havili, Shaun Stevenson and Folau of the fixture, to be staged at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday 12 July, have failed with approaches to All Black fly-half Richie Mo'unga, who is out with a hand injury suffered on club duty in Japan, and retired Wallaby great Michael Hooper, who has said he would struggle to get back to the level required to do himself justice."There is plenty of excitement about this fixture, and that's been demonstrated by the number of quality international players eager to be involved," said Rugby Australia's Director of High Performance, Peter Horne."We are delighted with the quality of the New Zealand contingent announced today and look forward to naming more players as the squad comes together."The Lions beat an Anzac XV in the final match of their 1989 tour Down Under, with All Blacks Frano Botica, Kieran Crowley and Steve McDowall playing in a mostly Australian side.
RNZ News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Fans get up close and personal with Crusaders heroes
A hero's welcome has greeted the triumphant Crusaders having restored their Super Rugby supremacy . Hundreds of fans gathered in central Christchurch on Monday to revel in the side's celebrations, less than 48 hours after the side clinched the title for the 15th time. The Crusaders were once again crowned Super Rugby champions, edging the Chiefs 16-12 in Saturday's grand final at Apollo Projects Stadium. Chanting, red and black flags and the familiar ascent of "Conquest of Paradise" coloured the atmosphere as rabid fans got up close and personal with their heroes and the silverware. Celebrations on Cashel Street were also fittingly in full sight of construction of the franchise's forthcoming new home One New Zealand Stadium, also known as Te Kaha. The new multi-use arena is due to open in April. Photo: RNZ/Nathan McKinnon High school teachers Milika Faitotonu and Poe Kairua, both family members of former Crusaders linchpin Richie Mo'unga, were one of the earliest patrons gathered on Cashel Street. Faitotonu said the Crusaders' "spirit and culture" set them apart from other sporting teams. "As [David Havili] said it's the families, the culture. We are a whānau and a family, and family is very important. "It just took a year for Penney to establish that relationship with the boys." The pair said they could not wait to attend games at the new stadium after enduring the wintry clime in Addington for many years. "I think moving from Apollo over to One New Zealand... I think that was the best send-off we could've had, not just for the Crusader fans, but for the whole community," Kairua said. "It takes Christchurch city to get behind the boys and make them a success." Mayor Phil Mauger playfully paid tribute to the squad during formalities. He said he was pleased with the team had won the final as he would have "had to put a hold on the stadium". Crusaders and All Blacks halfback Noah Hotham told RNZ the turnout was "amazing". "Any time we can connect with our fans, our home, it's an awesome time, very special. "You see from last year how much scrutiny we went through, how people started talking about the downfall of the Crusaders. To see how we've come back from that and learned from our mistakes last year, it makes it so much more satisfying." Photo: RNZ/Nathan McKinnon Midfielder Dallas McLeod admitted some of the squad were "slowly recovering" from big post-match celebrations. "We've had a good couple of days with the boys celebrating it so it's been good." The squad had goals at the beginning of the campaign, namely turning things around following last year's ninth-placed finish, McLeod said. "Having Davey (David Havili) as the leader this year has been awesome, driving that alongside the rest of the leaders in the team. So having that goal at the start and working hard to get it done is very cool." It was a double celebration for several Crusaders players, with seven of the squad named in the All Blacks squad earlier in the day for next month's test series against France. Crusaders number eight Christian Lio-Willie was also named in the squad as injury cover for loose forward Luke Jacobsen.
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AUNZ Invitational match declared a shootout for Wallabies starting spots, set to feature Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
The AUNZ Invitational match against the British & Irish Lions will not only be a historic event for the city of Adelaide, but double as a Wallabies trial a week before the opening Test. AUNZ coach Les Kiss confirmed that several Wallabies aspirants will be given the chance to impress Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt for a starting spot, the day after he announces his wider Lions squad. The AUNZ Invitational XV is the first to feature stars from both Australia and New Zealand since 1989 and will be led by Kiss – who takes over from Schmidt midway through next year as Wallabies coach – alongside assistants Ian Foster, Simon Cron and Zane Hilton. Given it is the Lions' final hitout before their three-Test series against the Wallabies, it's expected they'll put out a full strength side against a combined team that is set to feature former All Blacks Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell, as well as Wallabies contenders that could include Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Tom Lynagh, who are on the mend from injuries. 'We're not sure what the balance will end up at this stage, however you're going to see some talent here,' said Kiss after the team jersey was unveiled in Adelaide on Friday. 'You're going to see some players at the top of their game, particularly some Wallabies that'll be chancing their last hand to say can I be part of Joe's team in that first Test when we go to Brisbane. 'So we're going to see some quality players that's for sure. It's a brilliant coaching group. I'm really pleased to be part of that but the broader management group from all the provinces and from RA are also coming in together to make this an experience, a unique experience that we can all enjoy. 'It's going to be a fair dinkum game but talking to some players and the staff, they're going to come in here to enjoy.' There have been suggestions that the AUNZ team will be sent out to bash the Lions and hobble them for the opening Test, to which Kiss smirked and gave a coy response. 'I don't know what tactics we'll throw out yet but we just don't want the British & Irish Lions to get a handle on that too early,' Kiss said. 'Look when you bring that type of group together, I'm not going to say it's Barbarians, but we're going to allow them to play their footy and we're going to be direct and try and create some opportunities for those players to put their hand forward for whatever they want to do in terms of their Wallabies selections as well. 'I'm pretty sure Joe and myself will be talking about certain players that we need to give some time so that they can get a chance to put their hand up for the Test series.' South Australia will host a four-day festival of events before and after the invitational game. Further details Thursday, July 10 – Official Golf Day Book here. Thursday, July 10 – Rugby Business Network Dinner Friday, July 11 – Official Lunch Tickets here.
NZ Herald
03-06-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Black Shannon Frizell eyes Rugby World Cup return alongside Richie Mo'unga
Richie Mo'unga might not be the only All Black returning to New Zealand next year to target a place in the World Cup squad, with another former influential figure likely to move home. Mo'unga is expected to return home next year after playing a third season for Japanese side Toshiba.
Kyodo News
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Rugby: Back-to-back League One champion Richie Mo'unga repeats as MVP
KYODO NEWS - 9 hours ago - 23:18 | Sports, Rugby, All Brave Lupus Tokyo flyhalf Richie Mo'unga collected his second straight Japan Rugby League One most valuable player award Monday, a day after leading the club to back-to-back championships. The 31-year-old former All Black excelled throughout a 2024-2025 season, culminating in a man-of-the-match performance Sunday as Brave Lupus secured the title with an 18-13 win against the Kubota Spears at Tokyo's National Stadium. He was among a league-best six Brave Lupus players who earned selection to the League One team of the season, joining the likes of No. 8 Michael Leitch and fullback Takuro Matsunaga. South Africa hooker Malcolm Marx and Tongan-born prop Opeti Helu were selected from runners-up Kubota. Shizuoka BlueRevs scrumhalf Shuntaro Kitamura received the rookie of the year award. Related coverage: Rugby: Bond between Mo'unga, Leitch underpinned Brave Lupus triumph Rugby: Brave Lupus outlast Spears for back-to-back League One titles Rugby: Brave Lupus aim to retain League One title in trademark style
