Leicester Fainga'anuku retains No.7 jersey for Crusaders against Hurricanes

Rob Penney wasn’t kidding when he said he couldn’t have asked for any more from Leicester Fainga’anuku in his first start at openside flanker, and has named the All Black there again for round 12’s showdown with the Hurricanes.

The coach’s call to back the All Black in the forward pack for Super Round was the most hotly discussed selection heading into the weekend, and in the first-ever match at One New Zealand Stadium, Fainga’anuku’s performance appears to have won him another crack at it.

“We picked Leicester there for a reason, and he did everything we asked and more,” Penney said of the selection.

“He gives us a nice balance physically and allows us to put a bit more emphasis on our pack. He’s earned another opportunity.”

Fainga’anuku will square off with All Black counterpart Du’Plessis Kirifi in Wellington, and will be joined by the returning Ethan Blackadder in the loose forward trio. Two loose forwards have been named on the bench for the match, with Dom Gardiner named in the No.20 jersey and Johnny Lee named in the No.22.

The only other change to the starting XV is George Bower returning to the starting front row for Finlay Brewis, who has dropped out of the matchday 23.

It’s a big week for David Havili, as the Crusaders captain is in line to play his 150th match for the Crusaders and looks to steer his men to a win against the team with the best win rate in the competition.

“They look really free and unburdened,” Penney added. “They’ve had a group together for a few years now, and it’s all starting to come together. It’s a really good challenge for us.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

22

25

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

40%

Crusaders team to play the Hurricanes:

1. George Bower
2. Codie Taylor (VC)
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Antonio Shalfoon
5. Tahlor Cahill
6. Ethan Blackadder
7. Leicester Fainga’anuku
8. Christian Lio-Willie
9. Noah Hotham
10. Taha Kemara
11. Macca Springer
12. David Havili (C)
13. Braydon Ennor
14. Dallas McLeod
15. Johnny McNicholl

Reserves

16. George Bell
17. Kershawl Sykes-Martin
18. Seb Calder
19. Jamie Hannah
20. Dom Gardiner
21. Kyle Preston
22. Johnny Lee
23. Rivez Reihana

Injury list

Finly BREWIS: Calf, 2-4 weeks
Will JORDAN: Calf, 2-4 weeks
Cullen GRACE:  Knee, 2-4 weeks
Chay FIHAKI, Hamstring, 3-5 weeks
Will TUCKER: Concussion, GRTP (Graduated Return to Play)
Aki TUIVAILALA: Concussion, GRTP (Graduated Return to Play)
James WHITE: Shoulder, out for the season
Tamaiti WILLIAMS, Discitis, out for the season