‘He can do it all’: Havili reacts to another Fainga’anuku masterclass

Crusaders captain David Havili has praised the game-breaking ability of hybrid talent Leicester Fainga’anuku, who produced another Player of the Match-calibre performance as an openside in a 36-20 win over the Blues on Friday.

Fainga’anuku started out as a winger in the professional ranks before moving into the centres during a successful two-season stint with Toulon. The New Zealander did play some late-game minutes for the French Top 14 powerhouse as a loose forward.

But Fainga’anuku has taken things to an all-new level after returning home to New Zealand, lining up at flanker in three consecutive Super Rugby Pacific starts. The 26-year-old was named in the pack for the first time ahead of a clash with the NSW Waratahs in Super Round.

Rob Penney has retained Fainga’anuku in the starting role for key New Zealand derbies against the Hurricanes and Blues, which has worked wonders for the Crusaders, with the utility standing out as one of the best on ground in all three fixtures.

Fainga’anuku finished with a few try assists, including a kick ahead for Sevu Reece during the second half, and 15 stops in defence. Following some prolific efforts in attack and around the breakdown, Sky Sport viewers in New Zealand voted the All Black as the Player of the Match.

“Like I’ve been saying, he’s world-class and he can do it all,” Havili said post-game on Sky Sport.

“See his kicking game when he comes into seven, see his ball carry threat when he’s out wide. It’s just a real pleasure to play with and the future’s really bright for him.”

The Blues opened the scoring in front of a sold-out One New Zealand Stadium crowd, with first five-eighth Stephen Perofeta knocking over an early penalty. Dallas McLeod had been penalised inside the Crusaders 22.

But the Crusaders hit back five minutes later through milestone man George Bower, who crashed over for his first Super Rugby try in match number 100. Fainga’anuku had peeled off a maul before sending the front-rower through a gap.

Fainga’anuku was involved in everything during the first half, making a huge line break before passing the ball on to Ethan Blackadder. But the backrower’s two most impressive highlights were both kicking plays, which led to points for the home side.

The openside got the ball 40 metres out in the 22^nd minute, chipping the ball ahead for others to chase. Sam Nock attempted a diving catch but the scrum-half couldn’t reel in the ball, with Jamie Hannah instead picking up, before racing away to score.

Then, in the second term, Fainga’anuku repeated those heroics by sending a grubber kick ahead for Reece to chase. The ball sat up for the all-time leading try-scorer in Super Rugby history, who added to his career tally.

“I’ve been in the forward pack for the last two, three weeks and honestly my body, almost feels like my whole career,” Fainga’anuku reflected.

“It’s a tough job… it’s an awesome challenge I definitely enjoy waking up to. It obviously makes it easier when you’ve got a good forward pack like we do and also the likes of Dan Perrin and Matt Todd there to give me a few gold nuggets.

“It’s a challenge and I enjoy every week.”