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‘You never know’: Leicester Fainga’anuku embracing All Blacks role before RWC

Leicester Fainga'anuku of New Zealand charges forward during The Rugby Championship & Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australia Wallabies at Forsyth Barr Stadium on August 05, 2023 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

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.

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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.

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1 Comment
G
Greg 462 days ago

I would like to see Leicester start at centre at Twickers.

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JWH 45 minutes ago
France outwrestle All Blacks in titanic Test for one-point win

I agree re-Barrett, he would be an excellent 6. Vaai he called him the squads Terminator! No use in shutting out other specialist 6s though like Frizell and Finau.


I don't think the Saders want Darry tbh, already have so much locking talent in Strange, Cahill, Hannah, and Barrett, with Gallagher returning after a spell at the Canes.


As for your ideas on SRP, I was thinking more expansion into the islands. Why just a Fijian team? Why not a Samoan and Tongan team as well? I think adding Japan could be cool, since they are in roughly the same timezone so not much jet lag. Only issue is that their seasons are reversed! Same with USA.


I think the best option is to keep to ourselves, with AUS, NZ, SAM, FIJ, and TNG. 5 teams for Australia (Brumbies, Reds, Tahs, Force, Rebels), 5 for NZ (Saders, Canes, Blues, Chiefs, Landers), and 4 for the PIs (Moana Pasifika, Drua, Tongan team, Samoan team).


If we expand into the PIs, we cut off a source of talent and entertainment from the Northern competitions like Top 14, and open a whole new market of people. Increase advertisment in Japan as well, since their in the same timezone, and we could be on track for a very good competition.


Plus, we would get gamedays like in America, one game queued up after another. Makes it a whole lot easier if you can just flick on the telly and BOOM theres the games. No need to plan out when things are, just get your mates around, flick it on in the background and chill with a cold beverage.

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