Crusaders hat-trick hero Leicester Fainga'anuku played through rib injury
The Crusaders 34-28 win over the Blues at Eden Park will go down as an instant classic as both sides put on a show that lit up Super Rugby Pacific.
With All Black stars across both sides bringing their best in what was the game of the season so far, it was Crusaders left wing Leicester Fainga’anuku who stole the show with a hat-trick of tries to remind selectors of his ability.
The 23-year-old revealed that he was an unlikely start after copping a rib injury against the Highlanders two weeks earlier in the Super round. He was rested against the Drua in the loss in Fiji but was almost ruled out of the final rematch against the Blues.
“I copped some loose cartilage in the ribs in the Melbourne round,” Fainga’anuku explained to Sky Sport NZ.
“I wasn’t too sure if i would suit up this week but coming up here to play the Blues, it’s a game you always want to be a part of.
“When you care so much for your mates beside you, you will run out there until you are legless.
“Full credit to the doc and physio team for getting me through.”
After a powerful first half hour for the Blues where they built a 21-12 lead and threaten to run away with control before half-time, it was three consecutive tries by the Crusaders wing over the span of 16 minutes that turned the game in the visitors’ favour.
A spin move from second five-eighth Dallas McLeod created the overlap for Fainga’anuku’s first try, Richie Mo’unga made the final pass to put his left wing over in the corner untouched.
The No 11 had his second try before the break with the Blues down to 13 men off a scrum play to the left that saw a sublime cutout pass by fullback Fergus Burke.
Fainga’anuku showed some acrobatic finishing to dot down just inside the corner flag and gave the Crusaders an unlikely 24-21 lead at half-time.
He might’ve been nursing pain but Fainga’anuku didn’t show it six minutes into the second half when he got the chance to go full throttle, which turned out to be the game’s most pivotal moment.
A deep Blues attacking raid was turned over near the goal line and Mo’unga had the audacity to fire a crossfield kick across the face of his goal posts.
Fainga’anuku chased down the bouncing ball, scrapping for possession with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck before turning on the afterburners and going the full length of the field.
It was a huge blow for the Blues who had worked into position to score at the other end only to watch the Crusaders strike immediately.
“Playing the Blues we know they are a top quality side and we respect them so much,” he said of the fast paced match.
“The quality of the players they have from number one right through to 23, we’ve got to expect everything and come prepared.
“It’s New Zealand biggest game to be fair, Blues vs Crusaders, and it has been for decades.
“After the loss to the Chiefs and the Drua, this was a game for us to pick our heads back up.
“Really show our DNA, what Crusaders footy is all about. Getting this win means a lot to us, something we can build off.”
After debuting for the All Blacks last year against Ireland, he quickly found himself out of the Rugby Championship squad before withdrawing from the end-of-year tour.
The hat-trick hero said his sole focus remains on the Crusaders week-in, week-out as he continues to develop his game.
All Blacks selection might be out of his mind but he didn’t do his chances any harm after shining against the Blues own All Black wingers Mark Telea and Caleb Clarke.
“My main focus is on what I can do to impress Razor to get into the 23,” he said.
“At the same time get the opportunity to perform and show all the areas of my game, whether I get the opportunity to play the centre role or compete in rucks.
“Wingers these days you don’t just get to see the power wingers, there is so much more to wing.
“There is so much I’m trying to expand, my aerial game, my ruck game, anything to showcase the toolbox. That’s what I am about.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments