Panasonic Wild Knights showed Sunday just why one Japan Rugby Top League coach has called their early season form "unbeatable."

Digby Ioane bagged a hat-trick as Robbie Deans' side ran in five tries in a 39-12 victory over NTT Communications Shining Arcs at Miyagi Stadium to pick up their sixth straight bonus-point win of the season.

Too powerful in the forwards, too quick in the backs and with strength in depth, the Wild Knights top the White Conference with a maximum 30 points, 10 more than second-placed Yamaha Jubilo.

Suntory Sungoliath lead the Red Conference with 29 points following their 69-7 hammering of NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. Kobe Kobelco Steelers are second on 27 with Toyota Verblitz third on 19 points, following their thrilling 50-40 win over Kubota Spears on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Kintetsu Liners picked up their third win of the season with a 24-18 defeat of Munakata Sanix Blues, who have now lost five straight.

This season the league has been split into two conferences. Teams play the seven other sides in their conference plus six from the other group to determine the rankings for the end-of-season playoffs, with the top four sides competing for the league title, which doubles as the All-Japan Championship.

It took the Wild Knights just six minutes to get the scoreboard ticking over in Miyagi Prefecture, with Ioane going over following some straight-forward hands in the backs.

The powerful Australia international, who will play Super Rugby for the Crusaders in 2018, added a second 13 minutes later before Akihito Yamada scored his eighth try of the season following an inch-perfect kick pass from Berrick Barnes.

Barnes added the extras to Ioane's efforts and kicked two penalties as the Wild Knights went into the break leading 25-0.

Takuya Ishibashi closed the gap with a try for NTT Comms in the 48th minute following some end-to-end rugby from both sides, only for the Wild Knights to hit back with Barnes' right boot again working wonders as a clever grubber kick put Ioane over for his third score of the afternoon.

Shohei Hirano ensured the Panasonic forwards were finally rewarded for their effort as he propelled his 120-kg frame over the line, before Shoma Makinouchi grabbed a late consolation try for the Shining Arcs, who end the weekend fourth in the Red Conference with 14 points