Justin Marshall, the former All Blacks standout, has openly criticized Dave Rennie, the current head coach, for his views on Leicester Fainga'anuku's role within the national team. He labeled Rennie's assessment as "naive." Fainga’anuku, a dynamic player from the Crusaders, faced a setback with a leg injury during the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming tour in South Africa. Prior to his injury, Fainga’anuku had shown impressive form, which made him a strong candidate for the All Blacks’ July internationals.
Fainga'anuku's remarkable performance, particularly during his time as an openside flanker, including a man-of-the-match display against the Waratahs, has sparked a debate about his optimal position on the field. Notably, during his standout games, he was positioned primarily at number seven, drawing significant attention for his versatility and skill.
However, Marshall, sharing his insights on Sky Sports NZ’s Breakdown show, emphasized Fainga'anuku's effectiveness as a centre rather than in the back-row. Reflecting on his capabilities, Marshall expressed,
"100% on that. I have been right from the start of his international career that he is a centre that can challenge defenders. He’s got an offload, he’s a good distributor, and he breaks tackles."
This was echoed by former All Blacks prop Angus Ta’avao, who added, “The skillset that he can bring there fits the bill for me at centre.”Despite these accolades, Rennie’s recent comments did not align with this view. In May, while acknowledging Fainga'anuku's industrious performances, Rennie highlighted his potential in the back-row and as a winger, but notably omitted any mention of him playing as a centre. "He’s gone well. I’ve been really impressed with him from a work ethic point of view," Rennie stated, praising Fainga'anuku's versatility without committing to a midfield role. This omission led Marshall to critique Rennie’s perspective, stating, “The problem for me was when Dave Rennie was asked about him at centre, he said that he didn’t see him in that jersey, which I think is naive to do that. You’ve got to give somebody a go.”
Contrastingly, Jeff Wilson, another legendary figure in New Zealand rugby, raised concerns about Fainga’anuku’s speed, a critical attribute for modern centres. “He doesn’t have top-end speed,” noted Wilson, suggesting that while the player’s attacking prowess is evident, his defensive capabilities in the midfield could be compromised due to lack of speed. This highlights the nuanced debate surrounding the player's role, emphasizing the need for both speed and strategic defensive skills in high-level rugby.
The discussion around Fainga'anuku’s position underscores the complexities of team dynamics and player roles, especially as strategies evolve in response to opponents' strengths and weaknesses. As the All Blacks prepare for their fixtures, the decision on Fainga'anuku’s role will be pivotal in their strategic setup.