NZR chief rules Toshiba’s Richie Mo’unga out of South Africa tour

Newly-appointed New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Lancaster has reiterated the organisation's stance on the eligibility of overseas players and confirmed that Toshiba’s Richie Mo’unga will not be available for selection this summer.

Back-to-back League One winner and MVP Mo’unga, 31, is in the final month of his three-year contract with Todd Blackadder’s Toshiba Brave Lupus and will return to New Zealand in June on an 18-month contract.

The contract, which was announced in August 2025, stipulated that the world-renowned playmaker would be required to play for Canterbury in the NPC this summer before he becomes eligible for the All Blacks from October.

However, with the appointment of Kobe Steelers head coach Dave Rennie as Scott Robertson’s successor and his openness – during his first press conference - in wanting to pick Mo’unga and League One’s top try scorer Brodie Retallick, there had been speculation that NZR could soften their stance on eligibility.

Lancaster told Newstalk ZB’s Jason Pine on Weekend Sport that the NZR board has not been asked to make an exemption for the seven-time Super Rugby winner to be available to Rennie for the Nations Championship and Greatest Rivalry Tour to South Africa.

“We haven’t asked the board to relax that policy around Richie,” Lancaster told Newstalk.

“We think the policy works for us. It keeps our best players in New Zealand playing in our competitions.”

Lancaster added that the organisation is constantly reviewing their eligibility rules.

“This is something we regularly revisit with the board. It’s a relevant thing for our board as governors of the game to regularly consider and reflect on.

“We’ve got some world-class players in the same position, and a number of those have committed to stay in New Zealand and play on the basis of the policy. We’ve got to think about the implications of the policy and relaxing the policy at any point in time.”

Mo’unga’s Toshiba teammate Shannon Frizell, who is in a race to be fit for their quarter-final against Kubota Spears on 24 after reaggravating his hand injury on his return in March, will be subject to the same rules and will play for Tasman in the NPC.

Lancaster confirmed that while Rennie has expressed his desire for Mo’unga to be available for selection this summer, he has not formally requested an exemption from the board.

“Dave’s very clear, he would like Richie to be available for selection because his job is to ultimately win the World Cup next year and he wants the best talent available to the All Blacks.”

Mo’unga could come into the All Blacks conversation during the latter stages of the South Africa tour if injuries become an issue.

“Once Richie’s back in New Zealand and playing and if we do have injuries, then potentially he could be eligible,” Lancaster stated. Stay tuned to RugbyJP for on-site coverage of Toshiba's quarter-final against Kubota Spears