Richie Mo'unga's stint as the All Blacks' waterboy during last month's Bledisloe Cup clashes will aid in the young player's development, assistant coach Ian Foster believes.
After shining as the standout player for the Crusaders in their march to a second straight Super Rugby title, many expected Mo'unga to challenge Beauden Barrett for the spot as the All Blacks' first-choice number 10.
Instead, Mo'unga was relegated from the playing squad entirely, with Barrett and Damian McKenzie preferred, leaving the youngster running the drinks in Sydney and Auckland respectively.
Speaking to media in Nelson today though, Foster said that Mo'unga's time in the first two Tests will pay off when he eventually takes the reigns of the All Blacks.
"It's a bittersweet role for a player," Foster began.
"They want to be out there, but in some ways, it's the next best thing for him.
"It's not something we do for just anyone, but as a coaching group we felt he'd benefit just hearing the talk in the huddle, the tactical side that he'd have some input.
"It just helps sort of break the ice of what it's like in a Test match. When it comes his time, he's a little bit further advanced."
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