Amateur career

He gained a foundation scholarship to Fettes, after being in Kirkcaldy High School for one year.^[2] He became head of the school at Fettes, and played rugby for the school XV.^[3]

He played for Kirkcaldy, although he was more usually found in their 2nd XV.

The Fife Free Press & Kirkcaldy Guardian of Saturday 10 December 1949 explained:^[4]

Then, since the last war. there was the classic instance of J. M. Hunter, son of the former minister of Abbotshall Church, who was capped in season 1946-47. His clubs that season, were jocularly referred to locally as being Kirkcaldy 2nd XV and Cambridge and Scotland. However, the truth of the matter was that while a member of the Kirkcaldy club he was unable to turn out regularly owing to his studies. Nevertheless, when he was available he sportingly insisted that no regular player from the 1st XV should be relegated his behalf, hence his irregular appearances with the 2nd XV. As rugby enthusiasts will agree, a most sporting gesture.

Dunfermline looked for his services but Hunter instead moved south to study at Cambridge University.^[5]

Hunter then played for Cambridge University.^[6]

After university, he then played for London Scottish.^[7]

Provincial career

He played for Whites Trial in the 20 December 1946 match. He so impressed that at half time he was to replace Frank Coutts in the Blues Trial side at half-time.^[8]

He was left out of the final January trial match.^[7]

The Scotsman newspaper of Thursday 09 January 1947 noting:

J . M . Hunter, the Fettesian who has just gone down from Cambridge and now plays for London Scottish, has been left out — an omission for which there may be a reason other than his form but which at least represents a surprise after his receiving a cap against the French.

International career

Hunter was capped by Scotland just the once. The cap came in 1947 against France.^[9]

The Fifeshire Advertiser of 4 January 1947 noted:^[5]

KIRKCALDY'S RUGBY RECORD. J. M. HUNTER IS FOURTH 'CAP.' Kirkcaldy can be proud of its part international rugby. J. M. Hunter, who played for Scotland against France on Wednesday is the fourth Kirkcaldy Rugby Club player represent his country. First was D. D. Howie, who played against England, Ireland, Wales, and South Africa in 1912, and against Wales and France in 1913. G. Thom was capped in 1920 against England, Ireland, Wales and France. R. A. Howie represented Scotland in 1924 against England Ireland, Wales, and France, and in 1925 against England, Ireland, and Wales. J. M. Hunter, who is the son of the Rev. J. M. Hunter, B.D., Abbotshall Church, played several games for Kirkcaldy last season, after he was demobbed. He is at present at Cambridge University.