All Blacks legend Richie Mo’unga was seen joining the NSW Blues training camp, taking part in an opposed session yesterday.
Mo’unga jumped in at fullback with Queensland Cup side Wynnum Manly as the Blues’ continued their preparations ahead of tomorrow’s Origin III decider at Ballymore.
The 30-year-old is one of the biggest stars in world rugby – and one of the best paid at nearly $2m a season.
He leapt at the chance to spend a few days with the Blues after being sounded out by coach Michael Maguire, football manager Frank Ponissi, and highly-respected All Blacks’ leadership management and mental skills guru Gilbert Enoka, who is also in camp.
Mo’unga says he is training with the Blues for four days as it is a bit of personal development for him and an opportunity to dive into another environment and take some notes and learnings back to Japan.
He says he was offered to train and do some personal development and adds that as a league fan himself, it would be rude not to take the offer.
Mo’unga says he has never played league but his older brothers, which he says are his role models, played for the Canterbury Bulls in the Bartercard competition in Christchurch.
The former All Blacks flyhalf says growing up, he wanted to be like former Fiji Bati and Parramatta Eels utility back Jarryd Hayne.
Mo’unga says he is a big fan of NSW Blues because of his parents, Saimone and Linda, but his five siblings were proud Maroons supporters.
He says his family does not know that he is training with the Blues and he has kept it quiet from them for those reasons.
He adds his family is really vocal about the Queensland Maroons.
Meanwhile, the Blues have touched down in Brisbane as they prepare to defy history by winning this year's Origin series decider.
The Blues will take on the Maroons at 10.05pm tomorrow.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
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