Leicester Fainga'anuku is the kind of rugby player who can light up the scoreboard from almost anywhere on the pitch. But his recent positional development in France may surprise you.
The 25-year-old and seven-test All Black, who last wore the black jersey at the 2023 World Cup, is back in New Zealand and ready to suit up for Tasman in the NPC, after a year-and-a-half playing stint with Toulon in France.
He joined John Day on the DSPN, and was asked about his favourite position, having played most of his career on the wing, and popped up at centre on occasion.
“In France I was playing more centre and then moving into the loose forwards. So played first 40 [minutes] at centre and then the last 30 or 20 in the loose forwards,” Fainga'anuku revealed.
“I love it [playing in the loose forwards], absolutely love it. It's always been something I've wanted to keep in my back pocket, and just to be a hybrid player and sort of bring a whole new dynamic to the game.”
Leicester in the loosies? That’s enough of a statement to lose your balance and drop your mouthguard over, but it does make some sense. Fainga’anuku is a bulky outside back whose size and power are as much assets as his pace and instincts.
“I’ve always tried to have a point of difference in my game, and that's just another area to add into my CV and my toolbox, and something I'll keep crafting away at. I'm just always trying to get better every day… just trying to find new ways I can develop as a player,” he added.
That’s a toolbox the national coaches and selectors will surely want to open up when tinkering away at the All Black backline. They already are – to an extent – with Timoci Tavatavanawai debuting against France this year, who himself is a wing-turned-midfielder and is serviceable at the breakdown.
New Zealand is incredibly deep when it comes to outside backs and midfielders. But with Caleb Clarke under an injury cloud and struggling for form, and the 13 jersey up for grabs, Fainga'anuku could be injected as soon as the Rugby Championship. The All Blacks squad for that competition is named on 4 August.
But the man himself is in no rush.
“Right now at this stage, it’s just good to be back home and sort of taking it day by day, and step by step," Fainga'anuku said.
“I’ve just come off one of the toughest competitions in the world… everything’s all good, body's still chipping away and lungs are still breathing.
"I always knew even before I left, the door was always there to return home and it's something I'm truly grateful for… I know I'm here for the next two years and available for whoever needs me.
"There' a team I would love to make for a tournament that'll be played in Australia."
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