All Blacks captain Kieran Read has offered strong words of advice to rookie first-five Richie Mo'unga, who will start his first test against Argentina in Nelson on Saturday night.
Mo'unga replaces the in-form Beauden Barrett in the number 10 jersey for the match against the Pumas and there's no doubt the spotlight will shine brightly on the 24-year-old.
- All Blacks winger Nehe Milner-Skudder on his long road to recovery
- Argentina halfback Martin Landajo wary of under-strength NZ side
The first-five has been one of the key pieces in the Crusaders' recent Super Rugby success, which has seen the Christchurch side win back-to-back titles.
Read said he'd spoken to Mo'unga privately, and told him to believe in his game and the rest will follow.
"He's [Mo'unga] pretty calm, and it's tough coming in and trying to run the ship as a young player," Read said at Friday's Captain's Run.
"But he's certainly able to have those conversations when they need to be had and that has impressed me. So I have told him to go out and play his game as if it is for the Crusaders, and he will do a great job."
Several big-name players have been rested for the match, including Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane and Jordie Barrett, which means all the pressure is on the youngsters to deliver.
In total, 16 of the 23 players named to face Argentina have less than 30 tests under their belt.
Flankers Shannon Frizell and Ardie Savea will start their second and sixth tests respectively - Savea has played 28 tests in total - while midfielders Ngani Laumape and Jack Goodhue have just 10 test appearances between him.
Prop Karl Tu'inukuafe will start his first test, while halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi is in line for a debut off the bench.
Read said the same message he delivered to Mo'unga applied to all the younger players.
"We don't want to change them as players, but they have roles to fulfil and they bring different skillsets," Read added.
"I am sure when little moments happen, we will see that little bit of brilliance that those players bring."
The test clashes with the Warriors' Elimination Final against the Penrith Panthers in Sydney.
Read spent time in pre-season with the Warriors and helped them adopt the breathing technique used every time they score a try.
He wished them well for their do-or-die clash.
"I won't be keeping an eye on the game, but I'm wishing them all the best. I can' wait for them to get out there and rip in, and I'll be on the phone right after the game to see how they do."
Newshub.
