The All Blacks have no concerns over the fitness of Richie Mo'unga, named to make his test return from the bench against South Africa on the Gold Coast this weekend.
Mo'unga, 27, was released from quarantine on Tuesday, having arrived late in Australia after remaining in New Zealand for the birth of his child.
And after returning to training following two weeks in a hotel room, Mo'unga has been tasked with starting from the bench in the Rugby Championship finale against the world champion Springboks.
But despite having not played at all since the All Blacks' 57-22 victory over Australia back in August, coach Ian Foster assures that Mo'unga is up to the task awaiting him on Saturday.
"It's been great," Foster says of Mo'unga's arrival.
"He did a whole lot of work when he was back in Christchurch. From a physical side, he came over here before his two week quarantine in really good shape.
"We've been able to keep his aerobic base up, and [he] had a few weights in his room.
"He's in a good place, we're just being careful to graduate this week to make sure that he's ok. Minimise things like kicking so that he doesn't jump in and assume a straight load, and maybe stress his groin and that sort of stuff.
"[We're] trying to be a little bit smart. But he's come over and he's here for a reason.
"[I'm] excited about having him on the bench."
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