Former All Black Mils Muliaina believes Richie Mo'unga deserves to keep the No.10 jersey going forward, following his instrumental performance in New Zealand's win over South Africa.
Mo'unga was chosen to start at first-five ahead of Beauden Barrett at Ellis Park, following the All Blacks' defeat to the Springboks just a week before.
The Crusaders playmaker was pivotal in the turnaround, and has earned praise from pundits and fans alike for his control of the test.
Barrett's case wasn't helped by his late cameo in Johannesburg, after he was shown a yellow card by referee Luke Pearce.
But 100-test All Black Muliaina feels there is room for both players in the match-day squad following Mo'unga's impressive outing, and Barrett's versatility from the bench.
"He [Mo'unga] controlled it really well, I think the kicking game was exceptional, '' he told Sky TV's Breakdown. "He found a bit of space, but he also had guys around him, talking to him and relieved that bit of pressure by giving him the ball.
"His passing skills were outstanding, even his depth, in terms of what they were going into with the rush defence.
"It is such a difficult discussion point, these two. Because if it's Beauden Barrett that was in the same position, he's played well and they've come off the win, you would easily just say that Mo'unga comes off the bench.
"But the fact that he's [Barrett] is an x-factor player too, you can put him at fullback. I think all it sort of does is, do you still put those guys out there as a 10-15 combination?
"I don't think it is a dual-playmaker. Mo'unga is a boss, I think that was where the clarity wasn't there and they weren't decisive on who is running the cutter, who is stepping into the first receiver role, who is actually calling the shots.
"You've got to define the role of the fullback in terms of what they want to do, but for now, Mo'unga has to start again, because he's proven what he can do in this test.
NZ-born former Ireland halfback Isaac Boss also lauded Mo'unga for dealing with and adapting to the Springboks' fast defence.
"To be honest, I thought he was very calm and composed. It took him a little while to settle, he looked a little rushed at the first couple of bits," he told Sky TV's Breakdown.
"But then I thought he pulled the strings very well and it doesn't look like he's had any time off on the bench at all.
"He looks like he's been playing non-stop the entire time, he was really, really impressive for me.
