All Blacks coach Steve Hansen doesn't want Richie Mo'unga to try and be Beauden Barrett, saying the Crusaders star needs to bring his own skillset as he makes his first Test start.
Barrett, who scored four tries as part of a Bledisloe Cup record haul of 30 points two weeks ago, was omitted from the matchday 23 as Hansen named Mo'unga in the No.10 jersey to face Argentina in Nelson.
"Richie is one of those guys we've been talking about getting that opportunity, so really excited for him and seeing where he's going to go," Hansen said.
"What he's got to do is his own job, he doesn't have to do be Beauden Barrett, he has to be Richie Mounga and bring the skillsets he has."
Hansen's excitement for Mo'unga was tempered with a word of warning for the man who led the Crusaders to the Super Rugby title this year.
Hansen said he is confident the Crusaders star will step up against the Argentina Pumas in Nelson.
"He’s come off some very, very good form in Super Rugby and we always say Super Rugby is a level down from Test rugby and that in my opinion is 100 per cent correct so he’s got to step up this week," he said,
Mo'unga's selection was one of a number of changes made by the All Blacks following their emphatic 40-12 win over the Wallabies a fortnight ago.
Hansen said it was important to use the squad because of the demanding Rugby Championship schedule and also to build depth for next year's World Cup.
"The season that we now have, and the travel we have and the time changes we have, we have to use our squad first and foremost," he said.
"Secondly, we want to grow some depth for the World Cup so people have to be given opportunities and we have to trust those people that they’ll come out and perform to the levels that they’re capable of."
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