Richie Mo'unga

Mo'unga all plated up and ready to go

Nine weeks after being bulldozed by Stormers prop Steve Kitshoff Mo'unga will return to the Crusaders lineup against the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday night.

Mo'unga said he knew immediately it was serious.

"I found myself looking for my teeth ....and if your jaw is in a funny position you know it's not good."

Mo'unga lost five kilogrammes in the first week of his injury but is now almost back to his playing weight of 88kg.

He admits getting his confidence back to make tackles has been a part of his recovery.

No Mo'unga for Canterbury

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen on Thursday confirmed Mo'unga, called into the squad as injury cover ahead of Saturday night's third Bledisloe Cup test, would not return to Christchurch to play for the red and blacks. 

The All Blacks, who have opted to start Lima Sopoaga and for fullback Damian McKenzie to provide first-five cover in Beauden Barrett's concussion forced absence, indicated earlier in the week Mo'unga would be released if he didn't make the match-day 23.

Mo'unga called up by All Blacks

The All Blacks face the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, New Zealand having already won the trophy courtesy of their victories in Sydney and Dunedin in August.

And Crusaders fly-half Mo'unga could feature having been brought in as cover due to the head knock sustained by Beauden Barrett in the Rugby Championship finale with South Africa and Nehe Milner-Skudder's season-ending shoulder injury.

Mo'unga readies for Lions

The Crusaders first five-eighth embarrassed the Chiefs winger when he dislodged the ball from his grasp in the 49th minute of the Super Rugby semifinal at Christchurch's AMI Stadium, forcing it to ping into the hands of Israel Dagg and guaranteeing him one of the easiest tries of his career.

Some commentators suggested Mo'unga, having failed in his first attempt to tackle Lowe a split-second earlier, had timed his second lunge to perfection because he instinctively knew his opponent was going to shape to kick off his powerful left foot.

Not exactly, admits Mo'unga.