RICHIE MO’UNGA

Let’s rewind to Eden Park, Auckland, on August 14.

Enjoy the memories. Richie Mo’unga was at first five-eighth that day as the All Blacks humiliated the Wallabies 57-22 to ensure an enormous lump of treasure, the Bledisloe Cup, remained in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Happy times. Mo’unga, who kicked five conversions before being replaced by Beauden Barrett in the 64th minute, looked sharp, confident and assertive. It was a while before we saw him again. He put family first, staying in New Zealand to support his wife ahead of the birth of their second child, while the All Blacks travelled to Australia for the remaining Rugby Championship fixtures.

Mo’unga’s only appearance across the Tasman, once he had completed quarantine, was as a substitute late in the 31-29 loss to the Springboks on the Gold Coast on October 2.

You can only wonder how much better the All Blacks could have been if a battle-hardened Mo’unga had started. The All Blacks schemed all week about how to deal with the Boks’ kicking game, but were sluggish to react when they unexpectedly ran the ball.

Last weekend’s game against the United States in Washington DC was Mo’unga’s first start at No 10 in more than two months.

He needs more minutes. Why not against Wales in Cardiff?

There are emotional strings attached to the debate about whether Mo’unga or Barrett should be in the run-on side. Barrett is poised to win his 100th test cap.

He can pop that cherry at

Principality Stadium, his fans say. But, hang on, let’s play the long game with this.

Mo’unga could do with another run after that 104-14 trouncing of the US at FedEx Field. This isn’t just about getting him in the saddle, again.

It’s about what he can do once he’s hooked his feet in the stirrups. Mo’unga has the zest, the willingness to create, the vision to use his speed to jump and jerk through gaps.

His awareness, combined with his fast-feet, would be invaluable – especially with Crusaders teammate Sam Whitelock as the captain.

These are two men who know how each thinks. Mo’unga can calmly call the plays, probably with another Crusaders teammate in David Havili on his outside shoulder, while Whitelock shovels coal into the furnace.

The perfect combination? Quite possibly.