Richie Mo’unga (31) is heading home. The brilliant New Zealand fly-half has signed an 18-month deal with his former franchise the Crusaders, as his federation announced on Thursday on their social media. His contract will take effect from July 2026 and he will become eligible to play for the All Blacks again three months later, that is from October 2026. He has not been picked since the 2023 World Cup final, having left straight afterwards for Japan and the Brave Lupus, with whom he has won League One twice in a row.

That choice meant a pause in his international career, in line with the strict selection rules of the New Zealand federation, which do not allow players based overseas to wear the black jersey. He will therefore be able to do so again in a little over a year, with the 2027 World Cup in his sights.