Watch: Mitch Hunt tops points chart after clutch 86th-minute match-winner

Former Crusaders and Highlanders first five-eighth Mitch Hunt has scored more points in Japan Rugby League One this season than 2023 Rugby World Cup winner Manie Libbok, although there’s not much splitting the two after four rounds.

Wallabies veteran Bernard Foley is leading the way in the top flight with 80 points, helping Kubota Spears take top spot on those standings. But the star-studded nature of Japan Rugby League One extends into the second and third divisions.

Hunt leads the way in the second division with 44 points for Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves, which includes a 19-point haul in last weekend’s thrilling 54-52 win over Toyota Industries Corporation Shuttles Aichi at Wave Stadium Kariya.

That round four showdown featured a battle between the two most prolific point-scorers in the second division, with James Mollentze lining up at 12 for the visitors. Mollentze has been given goal-kicking responsibilities ahead of former Wallaby Christian Lealiifano at fly-half.

Sam Henwood touched down for the opening try of the match after six minutes, leading Hunt to get on the scoresheet with an early conversion. Hunt showcased fast feet to slice through Aichi’s defensive line soon after, running in the away team’s second try of the contest.

With Hunt converting his own try from in front, the former Super Rugby playmaker had nine points by the 13-minute mark. The New Zealander finished the half with 13 points to his name, while Mollentze had converted three tries for the hosts.

It was 33-21 in favour of Kamaishi at the break but Mollentze helped reduce the deficit early in the second term. Takumi Sue got on the scoresheet with a five-pointer before Mollentze added the extras, making it a one-score game.

Mollentze gave Aichi the lead with another successful conversion attempt in the 51^st minute, only for the hosts to extend their advantage further with an Atsushi Yumoto try six minutes later. It was 40-33 in favour of Aichi before Hunt helped draw the teams level again.

Kodai Ono was next to score a try, before Hunt made the score 40-all with a conversion midway through the half. It was anyone’s game in the final quarter, and Aichi did what they could to try and take control.

Mollentze converted a Chance Peni to give the hosts a seven-point advantage with about 15 to play, only for Kamaishi to hit back through Ryuji Abe soon after. Hunt was again reliable off the kicking tee, making it 47-all with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Yumoto completed a double for Aichi with five minutes left, but Mollentze’s missed conversion proved pivotal in the end. Yellow cards against Yumoto and Nobuhisa Takahashi saw the home side go down to 13 men, before Kohei Ishigaki scored in the 86^th minute.

With the score reading 52-all, Hunt stepped up for the match-winning conversion attempt. The ball flew through the uprights, with Kamaishi running over to celebrate with the fly-half, who had gone seven-from-eight off the tee that afternoon.

That final effort sees Hunt currently ranked as division two’s top point-scorer, while Ollentze is second with 43 – only one point shy of Hunt’s early-season total. Libbok takes a place on the figurative podium, with the Springbok registering 40 points for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners.