'Becoming an international-level player': Fainga'anuku backed for big leagues
With nine All Blacks to select from in the backline, it wouldn’t have come as a major surprise if the incredibly talented but less experienced Leicester Fainga’anuku found himself twiddling his thumbs on the sidelines more often than not for the Crusaders this season.
The opposite has been true, however, with the big utility back earning starts in four of the Crusaders’ five matches this year, only getting a rest against Moana Pasifika.
Some might suggest that’s in part due to the ongoing absence of Jack Goodhue, who is still on the mend after rupturing his ACL during last year’s competition, coupled with the continual disruption caused by Covid.
The truth, however, is that whether he’s an All Black or not, Fainga’anuku has been one of the Crusaders’ most impressive and consistent performers since his breakthrough season in 2020. Even with a full contingent of players to pick from, it will be hard to see the 22-year-old missing out on a spot in the run-on team, let alone the matchday squad.
Fainga’anuku was named at centre for last weekend’s win over the Chiefs – his first opportunity in the role this year after spending the bulk of his minutes on the wing – and despite the return of Braydon Ennor to the fold this week, Fainga’anuku has held down his spot for Friday night’s clash with the Highlanders.
“Leicester’s in hot form, he has been for the last two or three years,” coach Scott Robertson said of his young wrecking ball.
“He’s a point of difference for us: brings a power game but he’s grown a lot of other parts of his game. He can set himself up and other players pre- and post-contact so he’s been good.”
When asked whether centre could be Fainga’anuku’s permanent spot moving forward, Robertson was coy, suggesting that he would be a standout wherever he’s selected.
“Every time he’s played there on the wing or centre, he’s performed for us,” Robertson said. “We believe he’s becoming an international-level player, just the way he’s been consistent.
“And to be an All Black, you’ve gotta play in a couple of positions and then they choose which one’s the best one.”
With the All Blacks utilising eight midfielders and wingers throughout last year’s campaign, and a much trimmer squad anticipated for 2022, Fainga’anuku still has a big job ahead of him to prove he’s an international player in waiting.
Upon Goodhue’s return, Robertson will no doubt spend time rotating his squad in order to keep everyone fresh ahead of the finals series at the end of the campaign – but that’s not necessarily going to work against Fainga’anuku, with ample Crusaders players earning test call-ups in recent times despite limited opportunities at Super Rugby level. Strong performances throughout the sudden death matches will perhaps be the catalyst needed for young players to thrust their names into the lights and if Fainga’anuku is fit and fresh, he’ll be incredibly difficult to stop.
The Crusaders will take on the Highlanders at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch on Friday evening, with the Crusaders suffering just one defeat so far this season and the Highlanders wallowing at the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific table.
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments