All Blacks star Richie Mo’unga achieves historic first in Japan title win
All Blacks star Richie Mo'unga in action for Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
All Blacks star Richie Mo’unga has helped Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo become the first side ever to win two consecutive Japan Rugby League One titles, following their 18-13 win over Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay.
The fly-half was also named Player of the Match in the win, which was attended by over 50,000 fans at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
This also comes off the back of another strong display in the semi-final to help the Brave Lupus on their way.
Mo’unga stars as Brave Lupus win second successive Japan League One title
The All Black was involved right from the off as he scored his team’s first try after just eight minutes. He later extended his side’s lead with a penalty kick, however counterpart, former Wallaby Bernard Foley, responded with two penalties of his own.
The game’s critical moment came shortly after half-time, and it was no surprise that it was Brave Lupus winger Yuto Mori, who scored the winning try in last year’s 24-20 final win over Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, that popped up to score the try which allowed Brave Lupus to establish a nine-point advantage.
Mo’unga’s conversion, followed by his second penalty goal of the afternoon, stretched the lead to 18-6 midway through the second half, and it proved enough despite a furious fightback from the Spears.
The Spears’ pressure finally brought its reward eight minutes from time, when veteran Kubota midfielder and Japanese Test captain Harumichi Tatekawa scored, but the 35-year-old’s try came too late to affect the outcome, as Brave Lupus held on to secure the crown.
The five-point margin of victory continued the trend of tight League One finals, since the reformatted competition began four years ago, with the previous gaps between protagonists in the championship game being six, two and four, respectively.
Player of the Match Mo’unga now adds his second Japanese title to his collection, alongside a Super Rugby title won with the Crusaders.
Elsewhere in Japan, Kobelco Kobe Steelers beat the Wild Knights 22-17 in the third and fourth play-off.