Richie Mo'unga is Leaving the Crusaders
The 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season will be Richie Mo’unga’s last with the Crusaders as he heads to Japan to take up a position with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo.
crusaders.co.nzHere’s the latest I can share based on the most recent public reporting:
- Richie Mo’unga appears set for a return to New Zealand rugby in 2026–2027 era discussions, with reports indicating tentative plans to rejoin the Crusaders in 2027 after the 2026 Japan stint. These sources suggest he remained committed to playing in NZR environments and contributing to a potential new era for the Crusaders.[2][5]
- In the near term, Mo’unga was reported to be finishing his current stint in Japan and to be re-integrating with New Zealand rugby circuits, with timelines indicating provincial duties in NPC ahead of any All Blacks selection window reopens later in 2026. The exact eligibility timeline for All Blacks selection was noted as a potential hurdle early in his return phase.[6][2]
- Other outlets have framed Mo’unga’s stance as prioritizing long-term contributions to NZ rugby and the Crusaders, rather than rushing back into national team duty, citing interviews and official announcements from 2025–2026 timeframes. These pieces align on the theme of a strategic, multi-year plan rather than a quick All Blacks recall.[4][9]
If you’d like, I can summarize each source in more detail, pull out a timeline of key dates, or look for official NZR or Crusaders statements to confirm current status. I can also set up a quick watchlist to alert you to new Mo’unga updates as they’re published.