Rugby: Back-to-back League One champion Richie Mo'unga repeats as MVP
Brave Lupus Tokyo flyhalf Richie Mo'unga collected his second straight Japan Rugby League One most valuable player award Monday, a day after leading the club to back-to-back championships.
The 31-year-old former All Black excelled throughout a 2024-2025 season, culminating in a man-of-the-match performance Sunday as Brave Lupus secured the title with an 18-13 win against the Kubota Spears at Tokyo's National Stadium.
He was among a league-best six Brave Lupus players who earned selection to the League One team of the season, joining the likes of No. 8 Michael Leitch and fullback Takuro Matsunaga.
South Africa hooker Malcolm Marx and Tongan-born prop Opeti Helu were selected from runners-up Kubota.
Shizuoka BlueRevs scrumhalf Shuntaro Kitamura received the rookie of the year award.
Related coverage:
Rugby: Bond between Mo'unga, Leitch underpinned Brave Lupus triumph
Rugby: Brave Lupus outlast Spears for back-to-back League One titles
Rugby: Brave Lupus aim to retain League One title in trademark style
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