Leicester Fainga'anuku shares expectations for hybrid role with All Blacks

Leicester Fainga’anuku is back in the All Blacks for their final campaign of the year, and admits he wasn’t expecting to see his name pop up in the loose forwards when the squad was named.

The aspiring hybrid star says it’s been a “lonely couple of months” rehabbing a broken leg at home while watching both his All Blacks and Tasman teammates play from afar, but he’s finally fit, firing, and ready to contribute for Dave Rennie’s national outfit.

After starting his rugby journey as a loose forward, Fainga’anuku says he was thrown into the backline once a coach recognised his speed. The skillset returned to the fore in France, and ex-Crusaders coach Rob Penney came around to the idea as the recent Super Rugby Pacific season progressed, eventually starting him at openside flanker for the last six games of the season.

“I enjoy challenge,” said a grinning Fainga’anuku to reporters at Auckland Airport on Thursday afternoon.

Earlier in the week, Rennie was asked what role he envisaged Fainga’anuku playing over the coming Nations Championship Tests, and he responded, “definitely hybrid”, backing Fainga’anuku to cover wing, second five and flanker.

The same question was put to Fainga’anuku himself ahead of their flight to the UK.

“Exciting question,” he grinned. “Obviously there’s been a lot of chat the last couple of months with the whole hybrid role. Personally, it’s something I truly take pride in. I don’t really see myself as a midfielder or a loosie or anywhere there. Hybrid is definitely the title and something I take pride in.

“But at the same time, it’s something I do demand of myself each week to be able to cover those roles and the knowledge, and also make sure that the tools they require are polished and ready to go when the time comes.”

When asked what a training week looks like as a hybrid, Fainga’anuku said the coaches are likely to “give me a clear week” with a “simple job to do.”

“You’ll be studying the lineouts during practice, but at the same time, in the back of your head, you’re sort of running through what your midfielders are trying to achieve during that week.”

“Obviously, it takes a lot to prepare for multiple positions. But it makes it easy when you have quality coaches who help you nail that job, and then even better when you have quality teammates who make that job quite simple.”

He later added: “Look, I’m just a bloke that enjoys turning up on a Monday and getting given a job and just trying to execute as best I can, whatever that looks like. It’s easier when it is something I enjoy doing, and when the toolbox is ready for whatever the job is.”

Just 28 hours after he was selected as a loose forward for the All Blacks, the Crusaders named their 2027 squad, with Fainga’anuku named in the midfield. The 27-year-old says he didn’t get a heads-up on where he would be named in either squad.

“I think coaches, at this stage, can sort of just name you wherever, knowing it doesn’t really matter what number I’ve got on my back. You can sort of adjust and adapt to how the game is flowing. Look, all of those things are out of my control.”

The good news for Kiwi fans, regardless of where the positional chips fall, is that Fainga’anuku is finally healthy and ready to make his mark in the international arena once more.

“I’ve been feeling great, but as everyone knows, nothing gets close to Test match footy. But one thing I realise is that the black jersey does something special to you when you put it on, and sort of almost gives you superpowers to go out there and do your thing.”