Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson was full of praise for his side’s fly-half Richie Mo’unga after their Super Rugby Final win over the Lions on Saturday.
Mo’unga shone as a playmaker, finishing with a 17-point haul courtesy of three penalties and four conversions and was named man-of-the-match after his side’s 37-18 triumph in Christchurch.
“He beat about 20 defenders, he kicked the majority of his goals, he was tough on defence and he was behind a Rolls Royce pack,” Robertson told Stuff.
Mention of the Crusaders’ Rolls Royce pack is in reference to All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, who said it’s easier for a fly-half to shine behind a powerful “Rolls Royce” pack after Mo’unga outplayed first-choice All Blacks pivot Beauden Barrett when the Crusaders beat the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby semi-final in Christchurch.
Robertson also pointed out that despite Mo’unga’s fine form as a playmaker and goalkicker, he was also prepared to the dirty work for his team.
“What I like about Richie is that he is brave on defence,” he added.
“That is the biggest part of his game. He was probably one of the best touch players in New Zealand, so he had great feet and great hands and could kick clutch penalties and conversions.
“Now he is brave on D, you have to have the whole skill set to play test rugby and he showed he could do that at the highest level in a final of a championship.”