Watch: Richie Mo'unga scores in Japan to help secure round two victory

56-Test All Black first-five Richie Mo’unga has helped his Toshiba Brave Lupus team overcome a tough Shizuoka Blue Revs side, 26-22, in a round two Japan Rugby League One matchup.

Former NRL player and New Zealand born winger Valynce Te Whare was also on the scoresheet, having impressed for the Blue Revs since returning to the 15-man code last season.

The Brave Lupus now sit 9th in the League One table after two games, with one win and one loss to start the 2025 campaign.

For the Blue Revs, they sit in a more comfortable position, in 4th, one point behind Shaun Stevenson’s Kubota Spears side in third.

Steve Hansen and Ian Foster’s Toyota Verblitz also have one win from two games, while new Kiwi recruit and All Black winger Mark Telea is still searching for his first try in Verblitz colours.

In the 26-22 victory at Yamaha Stadium in Iwata, Japan, Mo’unga crossed during the first half on the back of a slick backline move from the base of a rolling-maul.

Instead of being at first receiver like most No.10’s, Mo’unga was in the pocket at second receiver, which meant Rob Thompson picked up the first pass and fired a pass out the back to his first-five.

Mo’unga then pinned his ears back, fended off one defender, and dived over the line to score their first try of evening.

Former Crusaders and Fijian midfielder Seta Tamanivalu was another try-scorer for the Brave Lupus, scoring the game-winning try in the 64th minute, which Mo’unga then converted.

In the Toyota Verblitz round two game against Cheslin Kolbe’s Tokyo Sungoliath, 125-Test former All Black Aaron Smith found himself in acres of space down the left hand touchline in the 36th minute.

Smith, who is coached by Hansen and Foster in Japan, received a quick pass from a short lineout move, where he was left with only grass ahead of him, as he ran in his first try of the season in Japan.

It wasn’t all pretty for the Kiwi Kobe Steelers trio of Anton Lienert-Brown, Brodie Retallick, and Ardie Savea, as they only just edged the Mie Honda Heat in a close matchup in Suzuka.

Retallick crossed in the 59th minute, while the All Black midfielder, Lienert-Brown, was yellow-carded in the first half for a professional foul.

Mo’unga and the Toshiba Brave Lupus will travel to the Canon Eagles in round three of the 2025-26 competition, while Toyota Verblitz will take on Retallick, Lienert-Brown, Savea and the Kobelco Kobe Steelers on Saturday.