Exclusive - Richie Mo’unga open to possible Japan return in 2028

Toshiba Brave Lupus fly-half Richie Mo’unga believes that he is returning to New Zealand as a better player and is open to a possible return to Japan in 2028.

The 31-year-old has won back-to-back titles and MVP awards and, while the champions have not reached the same level as their two title-winning campaigns, they’re narrowly holding onto the last play-off spot with two games to go.

Mo’unga and All Blacks teammate Shannon Frizell, 32, who will also return home to become eligible for the World Cup next year, spoke at Toshiba’s monthly press conference in Fuchu.

© RugbyJP

Toshiba’s marquee playmaker, who is in the final month of his lucrative three-year contract in Japan, told RugbyJP.com that he’s grown as a player during his three seasons competing in League One.

"I definitely think I’m going back to New Zealand as a better player,” said Mo’unga who has scored 123 points including four tries in 16 games this season.

“I think there are things that I've encountered here in Japan that I haven't encountered before as a player like adversity, the challenges of going through life in another country and also the different type of rugby that's played here.

"Sometimes the rugby here can be really disorganised and quite chaotic so I've got to experience that and found ways of how you deal with that and solutions to that.

“I’ve developed in areas such as how to go about building pressure slowly, and managing the right parts of the field, so I've learned a lot of lessons here.”

RugbyJP.com asked the returning All Black if, based on his successful stay in Fuchu, he would be open to returning to play his club rugby in Japan following the Rugby World Cup next year.

“Yeah, definitely,” said the Christchurch native.

“I’ve got nothing bad at all to say about my experience here. If it works out that way, that I’m back here, I’d be fine with that.”

Mo’unga’s quest for a ‘three-peat’ sees Todd Blackadder’s misfiring side host Shizuoka Blue Revs on Saturday in a must-win game with a resurgent Toyota Verblitz only two points behind them in seventh place.

The New Zealand maestro starts in a line-up which sees Japan speedster Jone Naikabula returning to the starting 15 after recovering from his horrific leg injury.

Naikabula impressed off the bench against Yokohama Canon Eagles last week and is rewarded with his first start of the campaign.

Fit-again midfielder Rob Thompson has been named on the bench after recovering from a broken finger while Frizell remains absent due to a hand injury.

Shizuoka captain Kwagga Smith leads the visitors who could still leapfrog Toshiba and claim the final play-off spot if they win their remaining two games and other results go their way.

Springboks star Smith starts alongside ex-Bristol Bears centre Charles Piutau while Fijian ace Semi Radradra is among the replacements.

Toshiba, who ended a seven-game losing streak by beating relegation contenders Urayasu D-Rocks and Mitsubishi Dynaboars in April, were emphatically beaten 50-26 by Yokohama a week ago.

They have to return to winning ways on Saturday to keep alive their bid for an unprecedented third consecutive League One crown with a trip to leaders Saitama Wild Knights to come next week in the last round of the regular season.

RugbyJP.com will on-site in Kumagaya to cover Toshiba v Saitama