mens
international
All black people head coach Dave Rennie says he is delighted to include the all-rounder Crusaders loose forward Leicester Fainga’anuku in his 36-man squad for the Nations Championship.
The 27-year-old is yet to play for Rennie in 2026 and has recovered well from a nasty back leg injury. Super Rugby Pacific season.
Fainga’anuku, who has 12 Tests for the All Blacks, has retired from the Tasman Hilux NPC quarter-final just over three weeks ago due to concussion but has been confirmed fit ahead of the tour.
The Crusaders showed his versatility during 2026, starting several games for the Canterbury-based Super Rugby Pacific franchise at number 7, while also having the ability to cover multiple backline positions.
Explaining his selection to the media on Tuesday morning, the All Blacks head coach said he was excited to bring Fainga’anuku into camp.
“Ohobviously, we are appointed Fri lalso, six loose-forwards but if you consider They are stupid I can to play loose, and then Leicester I can to play midfield and the wing and that sort of thing, we Got a a lot of flexibility there,” Rennie said in Auckland.
“Excited that get Leicester in. It’s was a was a frustrating the last one a little months for him.
“Come here back of injury and then Got a concussion with Tasman. But he is was running really good done the the last one sort of couple of weeks, and it will to be great that to have him, and he gives us original flexibility.”
With much of the discussion centered around where Fainga’anuku will play for the All Blacks, Rennie said he sees him as a true “hybrid” player.
“no, no, definitely hybrid. I like he is played a a lot of the wing for the Everything Black people. I think about it he is very comfortable at 12, and he is played a fair bit of seven this year.
“You could in general to fulfill a number of stains.”
Fainga’anuku’s last Test for the All Blacks was last year Wales Test on the tour for the end of the year, where he came off the bench as the 22nd jumper.
But despite limited playing time in recent months, Rennie is confident that time with the group will ease the transition significantly.
“Yes, it is limited (his playing time). That’s it less rather we would to have loved but still think about it rather rather no take it him, it is better that to have him in the group for the next four or Fri weeks.
“He is in reasonable nick now. That’s it whether he is ready to play; that is the test. But yes, he will definitely characteristic he that.”
