Dave Rennie has confirmed Richie Mo'unga will not be included in the 44-man All Blacks squad for next month's four-test 'Greatest Rivalry' series against South Africa, shutting down speculation that he would seek an exemption to the NZR's overseas eligibility rules.
Mo'unga, 32, has returned from three seasons in Japan and signed an NZR contract through to the 2027 World Cup, but remains ineligible until October when he completes a full season in the domestic provincial competition. Rennie acknowledged the fly-half's form in Japan was not in question — he coached against him in the Japanese league — but said the rules would be respected.
"He won't be coming on that tour, so we'll squash that," Rennie told journalists on Thursday. He left one door ajar: should another ten in the squad get injured during the tour, Mo'unga becomes eligible as a replacement call-up.
Beyond the Mo'unga question, Rennie indicated the All Blacks' preparation is further along than might be expected at this stage, with provisional selections already mapped out not just for the opening test in Johannesburg on August 22 but for all four matches in the series. The squad will also face the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls in lead-up fixtures, with Rennie confirming every touring player will get game time in the opening week to press their case for test selection.