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Leicester Fainga’anuku returned to All black people for their final campaign of the year, and admits he didn’t expect his name to appear in the free forwards when the squad was named.
The aspiring hybrid star says it’s been a “lonely couple of months” rehabbing a broken leg at home while watching both his All Blacks and Tasman teammates are playing from afar, but he is finally fit, firing and ready to contribute for Dave Rennie’s national team.
After starting his rugby journey as a loose forward, Fainga’anuku says he was thrown into the back line when a coach recognized his speed. The skill set has returned to the fore in France, and the formerCrusaders coach Rob Penney came up with the idea recently Super Rugby Pacific as the season progressed, he ended up starting him on the wing for the final six games of the season.
“I enjoy yourself challenge,” a smiling Fainga’anuku told reporters at Auckland Airport on Thursday afternoon.
Earlier this week, Rennie was asked what role he envisioned Fainga’anuku playing in the upcoming one Nations Championship Tests, and he replied, “definitely a hybrid”, backing Fainga’anuku to cover the wing, box and flank.
The same question was asked of Fainga’anuku himself before their flight to the UK.
“Exciting question,” he grinned. “Ohapparently there it is was a a lot of chat the the last one couple of months with the whole hybrid role. personally, it is something I indeed take it pride in. I don’t really look yourself as a midfielder or a tombola or anywhere there. Hhybrid is definitely the title and something I take it pride in.
“But at the the same time, it is something I do demand of yourself each one a week that to be in condition that lid those roles and the knowledge, and also to make for sure that the tools they require are polished and ready that go when the time is coming.”
When asked what a hybrid training week looks like, Fainga’anuku said the coaches will likely “to give me a clear week” with “simple business that do.”
“You will to be studying the lineouts during practice, but at the the same time, in the back of yours head, you are sort of running through what yours midfielders are I’m trying that to achieve during that week.”
“Obviously, it takes a lot that to prepare for multiple positions. BTue that does that easy when you to have quality coaches WHO help you nails that work, and then even better when you to have quality teammates WHO to make that business quite a bit simple.”
He later added: “Lalso, It’s me only a a guy that enjoys it turning up he a Monday and getting given a business and only I’m trying that execute as the best I I can, whatever that looks like. It’s easier when it’s something I enjoy and have a toolbox ready for any job.”
Just 28 hours after being selected as a free-forward for the All Blacks, the Crusaders have named their 2027 squad, with Fainga’anuku named in the midfield. The 27-year-old says he has not been given a heads-up on where he will be named in any team.
“I think about it coaches, at this stage, I can sort of only name you wherever, knowing that no really matter what number I am Got he mine back. You I can sort of adjust and adjust that how the the game is flows. Lalso, everything of those things are out of mine control.”
The good news for Kiwi fans, regardless of where the positional chips fall, is that Fainga’anuku is finally healthy and ready to make his mark on the international stage once again.
“I am was feeling great, but as to everyone knows nothing gets close that Test match footy. BTue one thing I understand is that bdeficiency jersey works something special that you when you put that on, and sort of almost gives you superpowers that go out there and do yours thing.”
