Tonga Rugby Union to open talks with Richie Mo’unga

Tonga Rugby Union is set to approach Toshiba Brave Lupus fly-half Richie Mo’unga over switching allegiances from New Zealand to represent Tonga, RugbyJP.com can exclusively reveal.

Mo’unga, 30, led Toshiba to League One glory in his first season in Japan and won the Most Valuable Player award.

The Christchurch native is in his second season of his three-year deal in Japan which has made him ineligible for selection for the All Blacks due to their selection policy of only picking New Zealand-based players.

News emerged in January that talks stalled regarding a possible early return home to New Zealand with Mo’unga, Toshiba officials and All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson as well as NZR chief executive Mark Robinson unable to thrash out a deal at the end of 2024.  

The ex-Crusaders star, a five-time Super Rugby winner, last represented his country in the Rugby World Cup final in October 2023.

Capped test players can represent a different country after a stand-down period of three years. A player can move to a nation of their, their parents' or grandparents' birth, but can only switch allegiance once.

Mo’unga’s late father was from Tonga while his mother is Samoan.

The mercurial fly-half, who has scored four tries and 28 points this season for Todd Blackadder’s once-beaten side, would become eligible for Tonga and Samoa in 2026.

Tonga Rugby Union told RugbyJP.com: “We are reaching out to Richie and his agent.” 

Mo’unga is aware of Tonga’s interest in him and their intention to approach him, RugbyJP.com understands.

A host of high-profile League One players have utilised the rule which was introduced in 2022 and switched nationalities.

Former Wallabies star Israel Folau made the switch to Tonga while former All Blacks Lima Sopoaga, Seta Tamanivalu, Charles Piutau went on to play for Samoa, Fiji and Tonga respectively.

Mo’unga’s Toshiba contract is due to expire in 2026 but he would be able to remain in Japan and play for Tonga.

Toshiba play TJ Perenara’s Black Rams at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.