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Crusaders' big mover Leicester Fainga'anuku staying in Christchurch

Leicester Fainga'anuku and Will Jordan. (Photo by Martin Hunter/Photosport)

When contracts at the Crusaders come to an end, there’s always a threat that players will head elsewhere around New Zealand due to the depth at the Christchurch franchise’s disposal.

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Usually, however, the off-contract players tend to stay put – such is the commitment that they have to the culture in Crusaders country.

Bulldozing outside back Leicester Fainga’anuku has become the latest to extend his time with the Super Rugby Aotearoa champions, agreeing to a new deal that will keep him in Christchurch until 2023.

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Fainga’anuku joined the Crusaders in 2019 but made just one appearance in his debut season. Last year, the 21-year-old featured regularly off the bench in the Crusaders’ title-winning run while in 2020, he’s become a staple selection in the side, running out at centre or on the wing 13 times this season.

Fainga’anuku joins Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitchell Drummond, Jack Goodhue, David Havili and Braydon Ennor as players signed with the Crusaders through to 2023 or beyond.

At 1.88m tall and well over 100kgs, Fainga’anuku is a wrecking-ball in the midfield and exactly the type of player that Ian Foster could be looking to bring into the All Blacks fold this year, especially with Ngani Laumape heading to France.

While he’s had ample minutes at centre in 2021, Fainga’anuku has been used primarily on the wing since Braydon Ennor returned to full fitness, but he’s slowly becoming accustomed to switching between the roles.

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Fainga’anuku was almost lost to the 15-man code, having focussed on rugby league during his formative years.

Days before he headed to Sydney to sign a contract with the NRL’s Roosters, Tasman made a bold play for the then-15-year-old and Fainga’anuku made the decision to remain in New Zealand and play union – after a little bit of gentle guidance from his father.

“The way he spoke to me, I knew the contract was quite a serious thing,” Faina’anuku previously told The XV. “At the same time, I was thinking, ‘Man, I’m leaving tomorrow. I’m meant to fly out of here and sign with the Roosters.’

“I was hardcore into rugby league, my dreams and aspirations were rugby league, but then with my old man, talking to him, I sort of did it, put pen to paper, just for him. I knew that he always wanted me to play union.”

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Fainga’anuku will continue to battle it out with the likes of Ennor, Havili, Goodhue, Sevu Reece, George Bridge and Will Jordan for a regular starting spot in the Crusaders while there’s naturally even greater competition for opportunities with the All Blacks.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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