The 25-year-old Kiwi-born talent, who attended the prestigious Hamilton Boys' High School in New Zealand, displayed such poise and control on the pitch that one might assume he's a Test rugby veteran. In reality, Muntz has only played 11 international matches since his debut in 2023 against Tonga.
In those 11 appearances, Muntz has notched up over 110 points for Fiji, helping them secure major Tier 1 victories, including a landmark win over England in August 2023 and, more recently, the historic triumph over Wales in this Autumn Nations Series. Domestically, Muntz plays for Fijian Drua in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, where he has made 17 appearances.
Muntz was instrumental in Fiji’s journey to a record seventh Pacific Nations Cup title this year, starting four of their five matches and scoring 50 points - the second-highest in the tournament behind Japan’s Lee Seung-sin.
On Saturday against Wales, Muntz set a personal record, scoring 19 of Fiji’s 24 points, surpassing his previous best of 15 in that landmark win over England. His performance included an impressive display of kicking, with 14 of his 19 points coming off the boot and only one miss out of six attempts, his longest successful kick from 41.8 meters.
After the match, Muntz reflected on the significance of this victory. "This means a lot," he told TNT Sports. "We knew we had never won here in Cardiff before, and after last year’s World Cup loss [against Wales], this win is special for everyone. We trusted our defence and knew that if we kept possession in attack, we could find gaps and score."
Beyond his reliable kicking, Muntz kept the Welsh defence guessing with his running game, carrying 10 times for 125 meters (the second most in the game) and breaking through five defenders.
Muntz’s running game was excellent, including as it did an incredible solo effort that showcased his vision and agility. Just when it seemed he was out of options, he spotted a gap in the Welsh defence. With a sudden burst of speed, he broke forward leaving the Welsh defenders in his wake. Powering past Test debutant Blair Murray and Cameron Winnett, Muntz secured an all-important try for Fiji, swinging the momentum his team’s way.
His dynamism added a new layer to Fiji’s already formidable attack, causing the Welsh defence significant trouble, particularly in the second half. Muntz’s performance demonstrated that he’s not only a player with a bright future but also one capable of delivering historic moments for Fijian rugby.
Fiji will next take on Spain in an international friendly at José Zorrilla Stadium in Valladolid on November 16th, before returning to the Autumn Nations Series to face Andy Farrell’s Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday 23rd November. Fiji will be hoping for another result like the one they enjoyed in Cardiff, and will be looking to challenge one of the best teams of the past few years.
Which is your winner for Try of the Week?
The nominees for Try of the Week are in, and there are some tough choices to be made.
