Why Razor’s Richie Mo’unga flirtation cost All Blacks their No.10 option

All Blacks flyhalf Harry Plummer has said Scott Robertson’s attempt to change the country’s eligibility laws and open the door to a Richie Mo’unga return was the reason he left for France.

Plummer led the Blues to a Super Rugby title and made his All Blacks debut off the bench in the final game against the Wallabies.

Having found his way to more regular minutes blocked and initially left out of the All Blacks squad for the Autumn Nations Series, Plummer surprised many by signing to play in France with Clermont for the 2025-26 season. He will first be with the Blues again in 2025.

Harry Plummer of the All Blacks XV before the match between Munster and All Blacks XV at Thomond Park in Limerick. (Photo credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

While Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie are clearly ahead of Plummer, the flirtation with Mo’unga, who is currently ineligible due to a Japanese contract, helped Plummer make up his mind.

“I’m pretty open about it,” Plummer told the New Zealand Herald.

“I think New Zealand Rugby is in a position where they are showing their skills little by little with their first five stocks.

“We have Beauden who has a wealth of experience. We saw what he did on the world stage with the Northern Tour. DMac is playing unbelievable football and has shown exactly what he can do and the impact he brings to the game during the Rugby Championship.

“Being in that environment, I didn’t think I could really realize it the way I imagined it would.”

He was also open about the impact of Robertson’s desire to bring Mo’unga back.

“There is talk that Richie Mo’unga will return. “It didn’t decide my fate, but it was a bit of a burden,” he said.

“Yes. I’m young, but I have an amazing opportunity ahead of me to perform well for the Blues next season and try to do something special in a row. Make a major lifestyle change, move to a really cool part of France and take part in some cool competitions.

“It will make me grow a lot more as a person and a player, seeing what it is like to play Northern Hemisphere rugby and get deep into their season. That was ultimately my decision and that’s how it came about.

“I’ve never had any bad blood with anyone in New Zealand rugby or the Blues. That’s just the way it is. You can’t play soccer in New Zealand forever.

“It’s really important for people to know that if I could stay in the blues forever, I probably would. This team and region have given me the opportunity to be in a position like this and achieve success in 2024.

“I love what this team stands for and the community aspect. That was the hardest part, but now I get to say goodbye.”