Richie Mo’unga’s extraordinary run of club championships is over after his Toshiba Brave Lupus side was beaten in a Japan One quarter-final.
The 26-3 defeat to the Kubota Spears, who featured fellow New Zealander Shaun Stevenson at fullback, ended Mo’unga’s winning streak which stretched back to 2017 when he won his first of seven championships at the Crusaders.
Two titles with Toshiba under head coach Todd Blackadder took Mo’unga’s run to nine straight before last night’s defeat to Kubota, who included former Wallaby Bernard Foley at No.10 and Springbok Malcolm Marx starting at hooker.
Dave Rennie’s Kobe Steelers and the Saitama Wild Knights, coached by Robbie Deans, went straight through to next weekend’s semifinals after finishing first and second respectively after the regular season.
Blackadder’s team, who included former All Blacks loose forward Shannon Frizell (who did not play in last night’s game), swept all before them in 2024 and 2025 but found this season far more challenging.
They lost seven matches in a row before recovering to finish sixth on the table which put them into a difficult quarter-final with the third-placed Spears.
In a post on his Instagram page, Mo’unga said: “Not to be. First and foremost, I want to thank all the people of Japan who have made my time here so enjoyable. An experience of a lifetime.
“Me and my family are very grateful. To my Toshiba family, thank you all! We did something pretty special and created memories I’ll never forget. Arigato gozaimasu.”
Mo’unga, the All Blacks’ first-choice No.10 before leaving for Japan after the 2023 World Cup, is not eligible to represent New Zealand until after their South African tour in August and September despite head coach Rennie saying he would have selected him for the trip.
However, he is a chance to travel as an injury replacement. In an interview with 1News late last year, Mo’unga said he remained hopeful of making the trip.
Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Ruben Love are also all in the running for the All Blacks No.10 jersey this year.
Mo’unga, who has played 56 Tests and turned 32 today, will now travel back to Christchurch to prepare to play for Canterbury in the NPC which starts in late July. He has signed with the Crusaders and NZ Rugby until the end of next year's World Cup in Australia.
The All Blacks begin their season in early July with Nations Championship Tests against France, Italy and Ireland.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including the terrifying moment a paraglider’s hit by a plane in mid air, and Peter Burling scores a win over Team New Zealand. (Source: 1News)
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