Mitchell Hunt
Mitchell James Hunt (born 19 June 1995) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a first five-eighth or fullback for Tasman in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Highlanders in the international Super Rugby competition.[1][2]
| Full name | Mitchell James Hunt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 19 June 1995 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Nelson, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 179 cm (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 88 kg (194 lb; 13 st 12 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Nelson College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early career
Born and raised in the city of Nelson on New Zealand's South Island, Hunt attended Nelson College in his hometown where he enjoyed a successful time, playing 51 times for their rugby team's first XV. He moved north to study engineering at the University of Auckland after graduating high school and began playing local club rugby in the Auckland area. During his time in Auckland, he was a member of the Blues development squad and Auckland's national sevens team.[2]
Senior career
Hunt made the Auckland squad for the 2015 ITM Cup and netted 10 points in 7 games as his side reached the competition's final before going down to Canterbury. He returned home to Nelson in 2016 and turned out for the Tasman Mako. Playing mainly in the number 15 jersey, Hunt started all 12 games for the Mako during the season which again saw him finish on the losing side once again in the final, with Canterbury once more coming out on top.[1][2] Hunt was part of the Tasman side that won the Mitre 10 Cup for the first time in 2019.[3] He was picked in the North Island squad for the North vs South rugby union match in 2020 coming off the bench in a 35-38 loss for the North. In Round 6 of the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup Hunt played his 50th game for the Mako against Auckland at Eden Park in Auckland. The Mako went on to win their second premiership title in a row with Hunt starting all 12 games in the number 10 jersey and scoring 97 points in the 2020 season.
Super Rugby
Just 7 appearances in his debut season of provincial rugby were all it took to convince the Christchurch based Crusaders that he was worthy of a Super Rugby contract. He made their senior squad for the first time in 2016 and made 2 substitute appearances during his debut campaign. He was subsequently retained in the squad for the 2017 Super Rugby season.[1] Hunt moved south to the Highlanders in 2020.[4]
International
Hunt was a member of the New Zealand side which won the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Italy, scoring 33 points in 5 games.[5]
References
- "Mitchell Hunt itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
- "Former Nelson College star Mitchell Hunt returning home to Tasman Makos". Nelson Mail. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- "Mitchell Hunt". Mako.nz. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- "Mitchell Hunt". thehighlanders.co.nz. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- "NZ Under 20 squad named for World Champs in Italy". All Blacks. 12 May 2015. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.