Richie Mo'unga will play no part in New Zealand's tour match against the Bulls or the first test against the Springboks in Johannesburg, with coach Dave Rennie flagging the Lions fixture as the likely point of entry for the returning flyhalf.
Mo'unga was called into the squad as a replacement for injured midfielder Billy Proctor, with Rennie citing his quality as the obvious logic behind the call-up. Rieko Ioane's ability to cover both wing and centre gave the management confidence they had sufficient midfield cover to accommodate the change.
"By the time Richie arrives, the first three provincial games are gone. And we felt him coming in and immersing himself, getting his head around our structures and the detail within that would be really beneficial," Rennie said. "So the thinking is that it wouldn't be in the first test. But he might get game time against the Lions to start pushing a claim there."
Rennie was careful to frame Mo'unga's inclusion as a depth measure rather than an immediate selection challenge to Ruben Love, who currently holds the 10 jersey. Before contacting Mo'unga, Rennie met individually with all four flyhalves in the squad — Love, Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett and Josh Jacomb — to explain the decision.
"My job as head coach is to pick the best players available. At the moment it's Ruben's jersey, and he's doing well, so we're happy with that. But it'll be good competition, and all four guys are really supportive of the decision," Rennie said, noting that Love had spoken positively about the opportunity to learn from Mo'unga.
Jacomb is set to start against the Bulls, which is the All Blacks' final tour match before the first test next weekend in Johannesburg.