Richie Mo'unga Is Set To Leave Japan After The Upcoming JRLO Season But There Is A Good Chance We Will See Him Back In Japan

The statement from the All Blacks was simple: “Welcome home, Richie“. It was an open secret that the mercurial talent who has helped lead his Toshiba Brave Lupus to back-to-back titles in the Japan Rugby League one would return home to feature as part of the All Blacks in the build up and preparations for the Rugby World Cup in 2027 in which the All Blacks will try and knock their fiercest rivals off the perch from World Rugby’s summit in the men’s game.

The news that Mo’unga re-signed with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and his former teams, the Crusaders and Canterbury, from July 2026 until the end of 2027 would have shocked very few, but he still has his sights on extending more records in his illustrious career.

He ended the JRLO season as part of the first side to defend their Japan Rugby League One Division 1 title after beating Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay 18-13 (with a broken hand too), and did so in front of more than 50,000 fans at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

He tallied 13 of his side’s 18 points in the final and scored 11 tries throughout the season. The run into the final through the playoffs saw him be awarded four consecutive Man of the Match gongs.

NZR Chief Executive Mark Robinson said of Mo’unga’s return, “We’re really pleased to have Richie re-committing to New Zealand Rugby, the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby. He’s a proven talent with a strong track record of performing on the biggest stages. His experience and leadership will be a tremendous asset in the environments he joins on his return to New Zealand.” 

Eyes might be on his return to the All Blacks selection from October 2026 - leaving the pretenders to this throne in the NZ setup a year to stake that flyhalf position as theirs, but already most will expect him to walk back into the role he vacated two seasons ago.

What has been surprising is that NZR has stuck to their guns in never wavering publicly on their selection policy, although behind closed doors, we get a sense those conversations must have been more animated between Scott Robertson and the NZR Board.

The second surprise is that Mo'unga has only signed on for 18 months to take him through to the Australian Rugby World Cup. His fans in Japan and at the Brave Lupus must be hoping they will see him again in the JRLO come 2028.

Under his new contract with the NZR, Mo'unga will play in the NPC with Canterbury in 2026 and the Super Rugby Pacific in 2027 with the Crusaders and then be eligible for selection for the national team for the end of year tour in 2026. 

Canterbury Rugby Union posted online of the news, “Canterbury Rugby is thrilled to confirm that one of its favourite sons, Canterbury Rugby Player 1626, Richie Mo’unga, will return to red and black for the 2026 and 2027 Bunnings Warehouse NPC seasons.”

Mo’Unga has made 51 appearances with Canterbury and won four national provincial titles. These are in addition to his 109 caps and seven consecutive titles with the Crusaders, and 56 Test matches for the All Blacks, including two Rugby World Cup appearances.

CEO Tony Smale said of his return, "Ritchie has deep roots in Christchurch and Canterbury and it will be fantastic to see him in the red and black jersey again. He is not only an outstanding player, but also a role model who has always conducted himself with humility and professionalism, and I'm sure he will be a warm welcome from our fans."

Mo’unga himself said of his return, but also of unfinished business in Japan, “Christchurch is home for me, and Canterbury is where my rugby journey began. My family and I have really enjoyed our time in Japan, and I’m looking forward to another season with Toshiba before we return home.

I can’t wait to pull on the red and black jersey again and represent the province that’s given me so much. Playing provincial rugby for Canterbury is always special, and I’m really excited to be back,” said Mo’unga.

Rob Penney has also re-signed as Head Coach for the Crusaders for next year’s Super Rugby Pacific to defend his maiden title with the franchise in 2025, but it appears the Coach’s extension is only until the end of the season, so it's unclear if he and Mo’anga will cross paths on the Crusaders #190 return.

Regardless of whether Rob Penny will be there, he said, “Richie’s connection to this club runs deep, and he is a great Crusader man. We’re really blessed with the talent that we have in the Crusaders and having Richie back will not only enhance the team and have a positive influence over the group, but it will also ensure his legacy lives on long after he has departed.” 

The player himself commented, “The Crusaders have always been a huge part of my life – not just as a player, but as a person. I can’t wait to return in 2027 and continue to build on the legacy of the franchise. I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with the fans and contributing to the environment both on and off the field.” 

He has scored 1,230 points for the team from the South Island.

Mo’anga was also full of praise for his experience in Japan thus far, “I’ve grown a lot during my time in Japan with Toshiba, both on and off the field. It’s been an incredible experience with my family that I’ll always be grateful for, and I’m really excited for one more season with them.”.  

Masahiro Korita, President and General Manager of the Brave Lupus, said of the news, "We believe that Richie Mo'unga's return to NZ Rugby is something that both he and the NZ Rugby Union have eagerly anticipated. We want to support the team in achieving its goal of winning the Rugby World Cup. For this season, his final one with Brave Lupus, we look forward to his best performance."

Mo’anga made a final plea to the fans in Japan, adding, “This season, I will continue to devote myself to the Brave Lupus and prepare to give my best performance. All ONE LUPUS fans, please come to the match venue from the opening match on Sunday, December 14th.”

We have a funny feeling, the talented player who has won a title every year he has played as a professional player and has lifted every trophy he has competed for, except the Webb Ellis Trophy, will be seen playing on the Japanese fields once more after RWC 2027. Whether that will be as a world champion or not is up to the rugby Gods.