Leicester Fainga'anuku denied All Blacks eligibility for TRC

He may be back on home soil, but returning All Blacks powerhouse Leicester Fainga’anuku will not be available for selection in Scott Robertson’s Rugby Championship squad following clarification from New Zealand Rugby.

Only a special exemption could pave the way for the Toulon star’s return to the Test arena this August, and the current understanding is that such an exemption would only be pursued if injuries decimated New Zealand’s wing and midfield stocks.

As it stands, the 25-year-old is set to play out the full NPC season with his hometown Tasman Mako. The clarification came in an article from The Post on Wednesday.

“New Zealand Rugby has told The Post that Fainga’anuku isn’t available for the Rugby Championship, due to the amount of time he has spent away from New Zealand and the fact that he was only 24 years old when he took up the contract with Toulon,” the piece read.

“NZ Rugby requires players to have built up a record of long service before they can go overseas and immediately come back into the All Blacks frame upon returning to New Zealand.”

The Tongan-born bruiser spent five seasons with the Crusaders before taking up a contract in the Top 14, making 55 appearances for the Super Rugby heavyweights, along with his 38 showings in Tasman colours.

In an interview with DSPN on Friday, Fainga’anuku himself did not reference any eligibility barriers when asked if he would be fit and ready should an All Blacks call-up come his way in the August 4 squad announcement.

“Yeah, obviously just came off one of the toughest competitions in the world a few weeks ago, so everything’s all good, the body’s still chipping away, the lungs are still breathing,” he replied.

“I know I’m here for the next two years, and I’m available for whoever needs me. I’m just enjoying every step of the way.”

The big goal on Fainga’anuku’s mind is earning his place at the next Rugby World Cup, with his new NZR contract seeing him return to the Crusaders for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, crucially ensuring his eligibility for when the showpiece event hits Australia in two years’ time.

That being said, the French lifestyle and competition have made a strong impression on the seven-time All Black, and he says it was ultimately a family decision for him and his partner to return home, with the birth of their firstborn child leaving them with a desire to have more family around.

Fainga’anuku said he has no regrets about leaving New Zealand and wouldn’t change a thing if he could go back in time.

“I think it was probably one of the best experiences and best decisions of my career. And looking back at it, man, I’ve had an awesome time and definitely competed against some really top athletes. It’s been one of the best almost two years of my career.”

When asked about the level of competition in the Top 14, the multi-time Super Rugby champion couldn’t speak highly enough of the league and its fans.

“It’s real physical, it’s almost the closest thing you get to being a gladiator in the coliseum, to sum it up.

“Rugby in France is so alive, the passion’s there and just the love for the game, it was just so magnificent to see. And as a player, to see it week in, week out, home and away games, was just something truly special.

“To be able to experience that is truly something I’ll forever appreciate.”