‘World class’ All Blacks star set to focus on original role as Crusaders issue update on hybrid experiment
Crusaders star Leicester Fainga'anuku and head coach Rob Penney (inset).
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has revealed that although they have put their experiment of using All Blacks utility back Leicester Fainga’anuku as a hybrid player on hold, they have not pulled the plug on that plan.
After suffering a 25-23 defeat against the Highlanders in their Super Rugby Pacific opener last week, the Christchurch-based outfit have made some changes to their starting line-up for Sunday’s home clash against the Brumbies.
One of those alterations sees Fainga’anuku relegated to bench duty after he started on the left wing against the Highlanders. This, after he was guilty of several handling errors in that thrilling derby in Dunedin.
In the build-up to the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, there was plenty of talk from the Crusaders camp about starting Fainga’anuku in the backline – as either a wing or centre – in matches before moving him to the back-row in the second half of games.
Successful Springboks experiment
It’s an experiment which the Springboks have successfully turned into a weapon in the international arena with star centre Andre Esterhuizen packing down on the side of the scrum during the latter stages of several Tests in 2025.
Fainga’anuku is no stranger to the role as he also slotted in at centre or on the flank during an 18-month stint with Toulon after the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Crusaders attack coach James Marshall was excited about using the All Blacks star in the hybrid role when asked about it during the pre-season.
“Realistically, it’s probably going to be him starting in the backs and instead of having two loose forwards on the bench, you’ve got one loose forward coming off the bench and Leicester moving in and it frees up a bit more backs space on the bench,” Marshall told Stuff earlier this month.
The Crusaders’ initial plan was to utilise Fainga’anuku in midfield but injuries to outside backs like Macca Springer, Johnny McNicholl and Maloni Kunawave saw him lining up on the wing against the Highlanders.
And although he will be amongst the replacements when they face the Brumbies on Sunday, Penney wants him to focus on playing in the midfield.
“We’d really like to see Leicester focus on being the athlete he knows he can be in the midfield, the player we know he can be in the midfield,” he said earlier this week.
‘World class player’
“He’s come back to New Zealand as a world class player and there has been a lot of discussion, which he has been a part of, around his versatility.
“But it’s something that we really feel we need to get him settled and allow him to gradually unleash his talents as his combinations and confidence grows within the group.
“We just need to find his perfect position and let him develop confidence. That’s where that [hybrid plan] sits at the moment.”
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