August 7, 2025 • 7 mins
"I think he's gonna come back and have a massive impact."
Nobody is more up-to-date with Richie Mo'unga's form than Todd Blackadder.
Todd's been coaching Richie for the last two years at Toshiba, and he spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave about Richie's impending return to NZ.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from news Talk zed BE.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
I know somebody's coached Richie Muanga for the last three
years with some success. Last two years, excuse you, with
some success, I might add been playing over a Toshiba
head coach is one Todd Blackett and he joins us now.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Hello, Todd, Good Darcy. Always a pleasure to talk to you.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
My friend, and thank you very much for answering the phone.
Big day for New Zealand rugby. They finally minutes to
get Richie Muwanga back in the faulty it albeit for
a shorter contract, only eighteen months. But the bottom line
is we've got him back. Last time we spoke, you
told me about the stadies and the condition he's in.
You think he's even better played? Is that still the
(00:55):
same today months down the track?
Speaker 4 (00:57):
Oh gosh, yeah, you can see that. You know the
way that Richie is, and he obviously wants to come back.
He's got ambition and he's got a burning desire and
probably an to go to the next World Cup. But
I think what it really does to you know, putting
pen to paper shows has come inment and whereas head
space is at so well. I think it's a great
for not just him but New Zealand rugby, And like
(01:19):
I could, I could say so many good things about
that man, not just as a rugby player, but as
a leader and as a person. And I think he's
going to come back a better all rounded guy, with
a different perspective, with a probably a different view than
where he's probably was before he left New Zealand. And
I think I think he's going to come back and
(01:39):
have a massive impact.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
I really do.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Is that purely age or experiencing a different culture or
the quality of rugby predominantly? What is that development? How
has that come about? Do you think, Todd?
Speaker 4 (01:51):
I think it's all everything that what you said, you know,
like it's going with your family, it's been in one
place and seeing the way other teens and other cultures
do things, and probably you know, there's parts of it
too that he's probably thought, you know, I really miss
I really missed the big stage. And that's obviously yea
by not playing international rugby. This is probably you know,
last opportunity to really do that. And he's been in
(02:15):
a really good environment with Dasheba, and he's probably in a.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Really good space.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
So I think all of those things have probably come
together to make this a really really good decision, not
just for Richie, but you know the Crusaders and Kennerbury
and the All Blacks as well. Do you want him
back again once he's finished, Oh, Tashiva, We'd have him
in a heartbeat. He has just been absolutely fantastic. You
(02:40):
know the three he's coming up to his last season,
but you know the two that we've had him, he
has just been instrumental to turning the club around and
a huge part of the success has to be laid
at his feet because you know, he's just such a leader.
But even more than that what he is off the field.
He's just such a good man and he's a real connector,
and he cares and he's helped. I have to say
(03:02):
I've learned a lot from him personally as well, and
just his interactions in the way that he with the
coaches and the way that he conducts himself. He would
be welcome back, and he could be there as long
as he wanted to be.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
How long is he going to take to get back
into the swing of it. He's on his way back.
He's not playing the All Blacks to start. It's the
nature of the contract of the nz R spoke with
Mark Robinson about this seems to be the way it's
falling into place. But he'll be playing NPC first after
m PC, then he rolls back into the big dance.
(03:34):
How long do you think he's going to need before
he's right and ready.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Probably about two weeks if he's coming straight back from
Japan and into the June July test window. I mean,
you see the boys everywhere else in the world. They
just fit straight and Jordi Barrett did the same. You're
talking about a world class player goes for the life.
For me, I don't know why I ended up putting
eligibility or rules that don't allow players to come back
(04:02):
and play straight away. It seems a little bit to me,
but I probably don't know all the ins and outs.
But if a guy who's committed that is prepared to
come back for the next eighty months to go the
way through and you just play them straight away if
he's available, But gosh, he must be other decisions that
I don't know about. But anyway, it won't take him
(04:24):
long to get up to speed.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
That's just the nature of dealing with all blacks and
dealing rugby players, and I Robo said, that's signed. It's done,
it's a deal. It's eighteen months. Nothing's going to change.
They've crossed all their hurdles, but injured. Our need to
roll the punches, don't they When you look at the
fact that maybe Super Rugby in New Zealand might not
go so good. The Australians are now being cut loose.
(04:48):
They can play wherever they want. I think they've got
to be very very elastic in their thinking and that
may well change the next year.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Well, I think it's really clear that you know there
is you know, I do agree with the policy that
you have to be in New Zealand to be an
all black. I think if that we're now to Caesar,
I think there would be a massive can of worms,
because you know, just to talent Paul and obviously in
PC and you know all the pathways, all those things
that we could talk about for hours and hours. But
(05:16):
you know, you've got a guy fully committed coming back
to New Zealand and yet they've got rules that don't
allow him to play to later in the season theirs.
I said, like I haven't been involved for so long,
I probably don't understand all the reasons why. But also
too if you just do the obvious, he's back, but
he's not available, so obviously that's the way that it is.
(05:38):
But hey, he'll get back and you have a massive
impact for Canterbury and the Crusaders and he'll be ready
to go.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
What messages does this send to the first five eighths
that are still here, the likes of Voden Barrett, that,
the likes of Damian McKenzie, maybe some of the young
guys coming through, what would they I mean, you can't
climb into their minds Todd obviously, but what kind of
message does this send to them as players?
Speaker 4 (06:03):
I think it's great. I think to really get competitive,
isn't it. You know, like the more players you've gotten,
vying for the spot, making each other better, competing all
of those sort of things.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
I think it's a great challenge.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
You know, you've got a guy coming back with Richie
who's prepared to really challenge and and nothing you take
nothing for granted, nothing's ever given, so you know they'll
select the best players that are playing. And I'm sure
that that pool of teens or for things or whatever,
whatever who those players are, then you know they'll just
have to be the very best to compete.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
So yet evan back in a heartbeat, What about yourself?
How long are you going to be over there? How
long have we lost you to Tisheba because you always
sound so comfortable every time I call you.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
I've got two more seasons with T Sheba and then
I'll definitely be finishing, and then after that I'll just
have to just see what happens.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
But anyway, I just usually go week to week.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
But I've got another two seasons with Dsheba, which I'm
really excited and looking forward to. So it'll be after
the year that Richie is too. Obviously he will leave
a big void there and my job will be to
make sure the team can still function without him, which
will be not an easy job to do.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
It'd be your job to get up to New Zealand
and sign someone else, right.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Ah and I We'll see how it goes there.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
It could be one of those teams that missed out,
could be looking for an opportunity somewhere.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
You're a cheeky man. Top Black added. But we appreciate
your time and your knowledge. Thanks very much for joining
us here on News Talk ZEDB. Look after yourself like
you're not Cheers days.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
You're always a pleasure mate.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
For more from sports talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from news Talk zed BE.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
I know somebody's coached Richie Muanga for the last three
years with some success. Last two years, excuse you, with
some success, I might add been playing over a Toshiba
head coach is one Todd Blackett and he joins us now.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Hello, Todd, Good Darcy. Always a pleasure to talk to you.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
My friend, and thank you very much for answering the phone.
Big day for New Zealand rugby. They finally minutes to
get Richie Muwanga back in the faulty it albeit for
a shorter contract, only eighteen months. But the bottom line
is we've got him back. Last time we spoke, you
told me about the stadies and the condition he's in.
You think he's even better played? Is that still the
(00:55):
same today months down the track?
Speaker 4 (00:57):
Oh gosh, yeah, you can see that. You know the
way that Richie is, and he obviously wants to come back.
He's got ambition and he's got a burning desire and
probably an to go to the next World Cup. But
I think what it really does to you know, putting
pen to paper shows has come inment and whereas head
space is at so well. I think it's a great
for not just him but New Zealand rugby, And like
(01:19):
I could, I could say so many good things about
that man, not just as a rugby player, but as
a leader and as a person. And I think he's
going to come back a better all rounded guy, with
a different perspective, with a probably a different view than
where he's probably was before he left New Zealand. And
I think I think he's going to come back and
(01:39):
have a massive impact.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
I really do.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Is that purely age or experiencing a different culture or
the quality of rugby predominantly? What is that development? How
has that come about? Do you think, Todd?
Speaker 4 (01:51):
I think it's all everything that what you said, you know,
like it's going with your family, it's been in one
place and seeing the way other teens and other cultures
do things, and probably you know, there's parts of it
too that he's probably thought, you know, I really miss
I really missed the big stage. And that's obviously yea
by not playing international rugby. This is probably you know,
last opportunity to really do that. And he's been in
(02:15):
a really good environment with Dasheba, and he's probably in a.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Really good space.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
So I think all of those things have probably come
together to make this a really really good decision, not
just for Richie, but you know the Crusaders and Kennerbury
and the All Blacks as well. Do you want him
back again once he's finished, Oh, Tashiva, We'd have him
in a heartbeat. He has just been absolutely fantastic. You
(02:40):
know the three he's coming up to his last season,
but you know the two that we've had him, he
has just been instrumental to turning the club around and
a huge part of the success has to be laid
at his feet because you know, he's just such a leader.
But even more than that what he is off the field.
He's just such a good man and he's a real connector,
and he cares and he's helped. I have to say
(03:02):
I've learned a lot from him personally as well, and
just his interactions in the way that he with the
coaches and the way that he conducts himself. He would
be welcome back, and he could be there as long
as he wanted to be.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
How long is he going to take to get back
into the swing of it. He's on his way back.
He's not playing the All Blacks to start. It's the
nature of the contract of the nz R spoke with
Mark Robinson about this seems to be the way it's
falling into place. But he'll be playing NPC first after
m PC, then he rolls back into the big dance.
(03:34):
How long do you think he's going to need before
he's right and ready.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Probably about two weeks if he's coming straight back from
Japan and into the June July test window. I mean,
you see the boys everywhere else in the world. They
just fit straight and Jordi Barrett did the same. You're
talking about a world class player goes for the life.
For me, I don't know why I ended up putting
eligibility or rules that don't allow players to come back
(04:02):
and play straight away. It seems a little bit to me,
but I probably don't know all the ins and outs.
But if a guy who's committed that is prepared to
come back for the next eighty months to go the
way through and you just play them straight away if
he's available, But gosh, he must be other decisions that
I don't know about. But anyway, it won't take him
(04:24):
long to get up to speed.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
That's just the nature of dealing with all blacks and
dealing rugby players, and I Robo said, that's signed. It's done,
it's a deal. It's eighteen months. Nothing's going to change.
They've crossed all their hurdles, but injured. Our need to
roll the punches, don't they When you look at the
fact that maybe Super Rugby in New Zealand might not
go so good. The Australians are now being cut loose.
(04:48):
They can play wherever they want. I think they've got
to be very very elastic in their thinking and that
may well change the next year.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Well, I think it's really clear that you know there
is you know, I do agree with the policy that
you have to be in New Zealand to be an
all black. I think if that we're now to Caesar,
I think there would be a massive can of worms,
because you know, just to talent Paul and obviously in
PC and you know all the pathways, all those things
that we could talk about for hours and hours. But
(05:16):
you know, you've got a guy fully committed coming back
to New Zealand and yet they've got rules that don't
allow him to play to later in the season theirs.
I said, like I haven't been involved for so long,
I probably don't understand all the reasons why. But also
too if you just do the obvious, he's back, but
he's not available, so obviously that's the way that it is.
(05:38):
But hey, he'll get back and you have a massive
impact for Canterbury and the Crusaders and he'll be ready
to go.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
What messages does this send to the first five eighths
that are still here, the likes of Voden Barrett, that,
the likes of Damian McKenzie, maybe some of the young
guys coming through, what would they I mean, you can't
climb into their minds Todd obviously, but what kind of
message does this send to them as players?
Speaker 4 (06:03):
I think it's great. I think to really get competitive,
isn't it. You know, like the more players you've gotten,
vying for the spot, making each other better, competing all
of those sort of things.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
I think it's a great challenge.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
You know, you've got a guy coming back with Richie
who's prepared to really challenge and and nothing you take
nothing for granted, nothing's ever given, so you know they'll
select the best players that are playing. And I'm sure
that that pool of teens or for things or whatever,
whatever who those players are, then you know they'll just
have to be the very best to compete.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
So yet evan back in a heartbeat, What about yourself?
How long are you going to be over there? How
long have we lost you to Tisheba because you always
sound so comfortable every time I call you.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
I've got two more seasons with T Sheba and then
I'll definitely be finishing, and then after that I'll just
have to just see what happens.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
But anyway, I just usually go week to week.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
But I've got another two seasons with Dsheba, which I'm
really excited and looking forward to. So it'll be after
the year that Richie is too. Obviously he will leave
a big void there and my job will be to
make sure the team can still function without him, which
will be not an easy job to do.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
It'd be your job to get up to New Zealand
and sign someone else, right.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Ah and I We'll see how it goes there.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
It could be one of those teams that missed out,
could be looking for an opportunity somewhere.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
You're a cheeky man. Top Black added. But we appreciate
your time and your knowledge. Thanks very much for joining
us here on News Talk ZEDB. Look after yourself like
you're not Cheers days.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
You're always a pleasure mate.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
For more from sports talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
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