Leicester Fainga'anuku, widely recognized as the standout player for the Crusaders in their 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, has shown immense versatility in transitioning from the backline to the forwards. However, former All Blacks captain Kieran Read believes that while Fainga'anuku excels in his new role, he is not yet ready to claim a flanker position with the All Blacks.
In an unexpected tactical move earlier this season, Crusaders head coach Rob Penney positioned Fainga'anuku at the number seven jersey for a match against the Waratahs. This shift from his usual roles on the wing or at centre was a gamble that paid dividends. Fainga'anuku not only scored a try but also contributed significantly to a 35-20 victory, marking his successful debut among the forwards in New Zealand rugby.
Post that game, Fainga'anuku continued to impress on the openside flank throughout the season. Kieran Read shared his thoughts on this transition during an episode of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast.
"It's been good. I think at the start of the season, Leicester couldn't find his feet... Put him into the loose forwards. Let him play exactly how he's been playing for the last wee while. And he's having great impacts. I think it's great."
Despite these strong performances, Read, who earned 127 caps for New Zealand from 2008 to 2019, pointed out that playing at the international level as a flanker demands specific skills that Fainga'anuku is still developing.
"Is he an All Black seven? No, I watch him and you see these things that he does in his game as a seven. At the top level, he’s missing. Getting off the scrum, being able to work around the corner and put himself in positions to be able to have impacts. There are things there that he’ll need to work on."
Read praised Fainga'anuku’s adaptability and impact, suggesting that his best positions could be either as an openside flanker or a winger, where his unique style of play transcends traditional positional expectations. "If you’re an All Black coach, you go, ‘Okay, you need this guy on the field somehow to be able to do what he does’. So, I’ve been really impressed. And it works for the Crusaders, for him, that seven (role). I’m not sure if you go to the next level, it’s totally different whether he could do the same thing. Because you might just miss a couple of key things around breakdown and stuff. That’s pretty important."
As Fainga'anuku continues to refine his skills and adapt to his new role, the rugby world watches keenly, anticipating how this talented player will evolve and perhaps one day secure his spot as an All Black flanker. Meanwhile, his journey offers a compelling narrative of growth and adaptation, emblematic of the dynamic nature of rugby itself.