Rennie Revolution: ‘Ridiculous’ Leicester Fainga’anuku and the player who could solve ‘problem position’ as All Blacks hopefuls assessed
Ollie Norris in action for the Chiefs and Crusaders star Leicester Fainga'anuku.
Following the victories for the Crusaders and the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific, we look at seven players that enhanced their All Blacks prospects.
The list ranges from established internationals to those seeking to become regulars under Dave Rennie so, without further ado, let’s delve into who impressed on Friday.
Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Has made a remarkable transition from centre to openside flanker with yet another outstanding performance in the pack. While Fainga’anuku has had experience of playing up front, the game against the Waratahs in late-April was the first time he has started there. The 26-year-old has since followed that up by being in the back-row for the matches versus the Hurricanes and, most recently, the Blues.
For the third game in a row, the latest hybrid player was absolutely superb as he earned the man of the match award with a staggering 71 per cent of the public vote. Had George Bower not been on that list, who was making his 100th appearance and therefore got the sympathy card, it might have been over 90. It was some display from Fainga’anuku as he created two tries with deft kicks through, constantly carried over the gain line and earned breakdown turnovers. It was a ridiculous performance and one which will delight All Blacks boss Rennie.
Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
Another All Blacks star to step up with a big display, playing a key role in the Chiefs’ victory over the Reds on Friday. It is not in question whether Sititi gets into the All Blacks squad but where he fits in, given that Scott Robertson used him off the bench on a fair few occasions in 2025. Peter Lakai finished the season as the number eight and has continued his fine form for the Hurricanes, but we feel Sititi has that extra special something.
The Chiefs man is a slightly better carrier, works just as hard – as evidenced by his 22 tackles and 14 carries – and has a better skill set, while he is also a useful option in the lineout despite his shorter stature (6ft 2in). After missing most of this season through injury, Sititi is finding his form and will hopefully continue in this fashion for the rest of the campaign.
Sam Darry (Blues)
It was a strong day for locks with Jamie Hannah starring for the Crusaders and Josh Lord producing an outstanding first-half effort before going off. Had Lord lasted beyond 35 minutes, he would have probably made this list, such was his excellence during his time on the field, but ultimately Darry was a standout in a sea of mediocrity for the Blues.
The 25-year-old made his Test debut in 2024 but missed the entirety of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign. However, the abrasive and athletic second-row is making up for lost time and is firmly back in the All Blacks mix as a result. New Zealand’s injuries did allow Darry some game time on their end-of-year tour but, on this evidence, he could easily force his way into the 23 on form alone.
Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs)
As mentioned, Lord was close, but his locking partner produced a stellar display when he went off. Vaa’i started the Reds game relatively slowly but grew into the contest and in the second period was absolutely magnificent, carrying with real ferocity and doing his work in defence, which included an important breakdown turnover.
Is he better at lock or six? That is for Rennie to decide but he will almost certainly be in the All Blacks squad when that is named next month ahead of the Nations Championship. There are not too many second-rows better than Vaa’i in Super Rugby.
Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders)
Injuries have deprived the back-rower of what would have been an incredible Test career, but he can still put himself in the frame for selection with a fine end to the season. Blackadder has also missed the middle part of this campaign but, having returned ahead of last weekend’s game against the Hurricanes, the 31-year-old has put in a couple of fine shifts.
While Fainga’anuku quite rightly got the headlines for his display on Friday, he couldn’t have it without the support of his loose forwards, who were also excellent. Blackadder provided a perfect foil to the openside by dominating physically at close quarters and ultimately doing the dirty work around the contact area. Are his Test hopes over? Possibly, but he remains one of the best back-rowers in Super Rugby when fit and wouldn’t let Rennie down if selected.
Ollie Norris (Chiefs)
Loosehead could be a bit of a problem position for the All Blacks boss with Tamaiti Williams’ return unknown, but Norris put in a performance which would have delighted the national selectors. The Chiefs prop was another to make his Test debut under Robertson but, with Williams and Ethan de Groot – two world-class performers – clearly first choice, his chances were limited.
However, Norris has found some good form and has started four of their past five matches, with the display against the Reds arguably his best of the lot. At 26, he is much younger than the likes of Ofa Tu’ungafasi, George Bower and Jared Proffit , who are all over 30, and is someone worth investing in.
Kyle Preston (Crusaders)
It was a poor day for scrum-halves. Noah Hotham was mediocre, both Blues playmakers, Sam Nock and Finlay Christie, struggled and the Chiefs’ Xavier Roe is rumoured to be heading off to English side Sale Sharks later this year. That leaves Cortez Ratima and Preston.
Ratima was composed and controlled during his 20 minutes on the field, but it was Preston who was clear of the rest. The All Blacks lack depth at scrum-half and that bench spot is up for grabs, and the 26-year-old should very much be in the mix.
In truth, we are surprised that he remains behind Hotham in the pecking order. The youngster may well be extremely talented but, at the moment, Preston has the more rounded game and he showed that in the victory over the Blues. It was a classy 30-minute cameo from the half-back as they took the game away from the Aucklanders in the second period.