New Zealand rugby's man-of-the-moment has revealed how new Scarlets head coach Brad Mooar made him into an ace marksman from the kicking tee even though it made him 'look like a d**k'.
No.10 Richie Mo'unga contributed 14 points as the Crusaders lifted a 10th Super Rugby title following their 19-3 victory over the Jaguares in the Christchurch final on the weekend.
Mo'unga has shone so brightly in New Zealand rugby this season fans are calling for 25-year-old to be Steve Hansen's starting outside-half for the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup and not rival Beauden Barrett.
Yet his new-found kicking accuracy is a far cry from the start of the Super Rugby season when the nine-times capped All Black fluffed eight of his first 12 shots at goal.
Step forward Parc y Scarlets bound Mooar, who in his role as assistant coach at the Crusaders implemented an unorthodox kicking drill to give Mo'unga greater accuracy from the tee.
It required Mo'unga to hop along on his left-leg after striking the ball, designed to help with a clean follow-through.
"It's one of his (Mooar's) specials," the All Blacks No.10 said. "To be honest, I wasn't much of a fan.
"I looked like a bit of a d**k, hopping after, but it's good. It's paying off."
It has seen him land 24 of his last 25 kicks during the campaign including all 17 shots at goal in the three knockout matches.
And his 77% (65 from 84) strike rate for the season is a marked improvement on the shambolic start to the campaign.
"It's a tough thing when it's not going well," added Mo'unga.
"But I will say in the first half of the season, we weren't taking shots at goal for penalties.
"Come play-offs, you get a bit more chance to get in a good rhythm.
"It's something I consistently work on and I know how much it makes a difference in these knock-out games."
Mo'unga was perfect off the tee against the Jaguares, slotting one conversion and four penalties for his 14-point haul to be named man of the match.
