Ex-All Black identifies the role which can make Leicester Fainga’anuku ‘an absolute lethal weapon’ at Test level
All Blacks and Crusaders star Leicester Fainga'anuku and ex-New Zealand hooker James Parsons (inset).
James Parsons and Bryn Hall feel Crusaders utility back Leicester Fainga’anuku can do a job off the replacements bench for the All Blacks in the international arena later this year.
Fainga’anuku has made 12 Test appearances for the All Blacks since making his Test debut against Ireland in 2022.
The 26-year-old has played most of his Test rugby on the left wing but also featured at outside centre in a few internationals and it was in the latter position which he shone for the Crusaders in an emphatic 69-26 triumph over the Fijian Drua in a Super Rugby Pacific clash on Friday.
Shone for Crusaders against Fijian Drua
Fainga’anuku gained 54 metres on attack which included 15 carries, one clean break, seven defenders beaten, two try assists and a well-taken five-pointer while he also impressed on defence as he made 14 tackles.
Experienced scrum-half Hall, who currently plies his trade with Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay in Japan, spent several years at the Crusaders and believes his former team-mate’s utility value will be crucial off the bench for the All Blacks.
“Look, he could be warranted around starting. I think we’ve got so much depth here at the moment, but I think an impact player for me personally, I think it’s probably the best way for him forward,” he told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“I think Jordie Barrett, we’ve talked massively around how good he is at number 12, and I just think Quinn Tupaea’s form at 13, I know he’s been playing at 12, but if he does get picked at 13, I think what he brings to the game in all facets of the midfield, I think he’s probably deserving of being the 13 with Jordie.
“And I just think with Leicester, tiring bodies in the last 30, 20 minutes, Jip (Parsons) and I, we talked on off air, that kind of impact role, especially with what I think Dave Rennie (showed) in the past, in being able to bring on the bench, it’s an important component to have.
Fainga’anuku expected to shine against ‘tiring defenders’
“And I think Leicester fits that very, very nicely whether that’s through coming on in the midfield, coming on the wing (against) tiring defenders. I just think that’s probably the best position for him now, considering that Jordie Barrett’s probably our 12.
“And I just think you can’t replace Quinn Tupaea at 13, who’s had an outstanding start to the year.”
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Former All Blacks and Blues hooker Parsons agreed with Hall’s sentiments and feels that although Fainga’anuku is capable of covering both wing and centre, it’s the latter position where he will make his biggest impact once he comes off the bench.
“I’m fully convinced he is an absolute lethal weapon wearing that 23 jersey and coming on with 20, 25 minutes to go,” he said.
“He works really hard to get into the backfield to then counter-attack.
“He creates the extra person in the backfield to work with the likes of Caleb Clarke and whoever the right wing will be.
“I just think, with that backfield presence, he looks like a better fit to come on at centre.”
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