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‘You never know’: Leicester Fainga’anuku embracing All Blacks role before RWC
When the All Blacks revealed their 33-man squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup on Monday, not many fans would’ve been surprised to see Leicester Fainga’anuku among the outside backs.
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Fainga’anuku had missed the entire Rugby Championship with an injury, but starred in his return to the Test arena against the Wallabies in Dunedin.
Lining up on the left wing, Fainga’anuku finished with the most carries out of any All Black (21) and the equal-most line breaks with two.
In his one and only World Cup audition, the utility made a statement that All Blacks selectors couldn’t possibly ignore. Fainga’anuku needed to be on that plane to France.
Selected as one of the five outside backs in the squad, Fainga’anuku is also set to provide cover in the midfield. The 23-year-old has played plenty of rugby at outside centre for the Crusaders.
“It’s been part of my preparation through Super Rugby,” Fainga’anuku told Newshub. “The ability and capability to cover midfield and wing is an awesome asset to have as a player.
“For me, nothing changes – even in this environment. It’s an opportunity for me to make sure I have those skill sets in my toolbox and take a step forward if the team needs (it).
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“I might even get the call-up to loose – you never know.”
Fainga’anuku didn’t travel to Argentina with the All Blacks ahead of their opening Test of the year, and injuries continued to dampen his World Cup dream – or so it seemed.
After focusing on “getting my body right” for Test rugby, Fainga’anuku helped inspire the All Blacks’ valiant comeback against Australia at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
“Lucky enough, Fozzie (coach Ian Foster), the physio and the doctor have given me time to heal, get to 100 per cent to give myself the best opportunity to make the squad,” he added.
“I had the opportunity down in Dunedin to do that and dust a few cobwebs at the same time as enjoying a bit of footy.”
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The All Blacks will play arch-rivals South Africa at Twickenham later this month. That Test is their final opportunity to play before their World Cup opener against France next month.
Comments on RugbyPass
Unfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
35 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to comments