Richie Mo’unga says the All Blacks are blocking out the outside noise of their unhappy fans and focusing squarely on snapping their three-match losing streak when they face the Springboks again in Johannesburg this weekend.
The flyhalf has played off the bench during New Zealand’s disappointing run, with Beauden Barrett preferred in the No.10 shirt for the two losses to Ireland and last week’s 26-10 defeat by world champions South Africa in Nelspruit as they dropped to No.5 in the world rankings.
Coach Ian Foster and his team have been subjected to a bombardment of criticism since losing the July series to the Irish and Mo’unga said he respected the right of fans to vent their frustrations.
“It’s very fair,” Mo’unga told New Zealand media in South Africa.
“They care about our team and care about our results, but it’s also fair of us to not [get carried away with] what they think because we have a role to do, a role to play, and hearing that isn’t going to help us at this moment. Completing a job will help us win games.”
The near frenzy of criticism had been tough on the younger players, and on the families of the players back in New Zealand, but had not impacted him much, Mo’unga added.
“I’m chomping at the bit to have another crack, but I’m also at the point where the outside noise doesn’t matter for me,” he said.
“It doesn’t affect me. I’m at a stage now if you’re not in our squad, I don’t really care what you think, with all respect.
“We’re trying our best, and we know it’s not good enough for All Blacks standards.”
Mo’unga came on as a 52nd minute replacement for the injured Jordie Barrett last week, slotting in at flyhalf with Beauden Barrett moving to fullback.