Former All Black Richie Mo’unga plays with broken hand, leads Brave Lupus to Japan League One title

Richie Mounga. Photo / Getty Images

Former All Blacks first-five Richie Mo’unga has played through the pain of a broken hand to help the Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo defend their Japan Rugby League One title.

The 31-year-old produced a man-of-the-match performance, scoring a try and setting up their other as they beat the Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay 18-13 in Sunday’s final at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

The fact Mo’unga played in the decider was special, after breaking his right hand in last week’s semifinal win, with coach Todd Blackadder expecting his star man was “70-30” to miss the final.

Mo’unga said he spent three days in an oxygen chamber in the build-up to the game and “knew all along that I was going to play”.

“I knew it wasn’t impossible to play this weekend, and obviously a final, it’s a no-brainer really,” said Mo’unga.

“You want to give yourself the best chance to be part of something special.”

Blackadder said post match that Mo’unga didn’t train all week due to the injury, while Toshiba captain Michael Leitch praised his bravery.

Kubota hooker Malcolm Marx said he was not aware that Mo’unga was carrying an injury.

“He’s a great player, he showed that how he performed today even with a broken hand,” said Marx. “It shows his resilience.”

Mo’unga was one of six Kiwis in the side, with former All Blacks loose forward Shannon Frizell, Highlanders duo Rob Thompson and Michael Collins, and locks Jacob Pearce and Warner Dearns also in the team.

Mo’unga now has two titles in Japan, to go with his seven Super Rugby championships with the Crusaders.

He made the move to Japan after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, signing with Toshiba on a three-year-deal.

At the end of 2024, talks between NZ Rugby and Mo’unga broke down after the national body attempted to negotiate a move to bring the first five home from Japan early, in a bid to have him available for the upcoming test series against France.

Under NZ Rugby’s current eligibility rules, players cannot represent the All Blacks unless contracted to the national union, with the exception of being specifically granted a sabbatical when renegotiating – as seen by Jordie Barrett currently playing for Irish side Leinster.

Ben Francisis an Auckland-based reporter for theNew Zealand Heraldwho covers breaking sports news.