All Blacks turn to Richie Mo’unga for Baltimore rescue mission as Dave Rennie rings the changes

A desperate Dave Rennie has recalled Richie Mo’unga and several veterans as the All Blacks bid to salvage their series against the Springboks in Saturday’s Baltimore finale. Picture: PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has thrown the dice for Saturday’s crucial fourth Test against the Springboks, calling on a host of veterans to rescue the series — including brilliant playmaker Richie Mo’unga.

Mo’unga last played for New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup final defeat by the Springboks in Paris. He replaces Ruben Love, who had started all six of the All Blacks’ Tests this year under Rennie but endured a nightmare in last week’s third-Test defeat in Soweto.

Mo’unga had been playing for Rennie in Japan, and the coach’s plan was always to bring the flyhalf back into the All Blacks fold once he returned to Canterbury duty in the National Provincial Championship last month.

There are further veteran recalls for the Baltimore finale, with Beauden Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane all returning to the match-day squad.