Leicester Fainga'anuku, the dynamic Tonga-born rugby sensation, is stirring the pot with his unexpected switch in playing roles. Known for his stints with the Crusaders and Toulon, he's eyeing a spot in the All Blacks squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, now bringing a whole new skill set to the table.
After a standout season with Toulon where he racked up nine tries, Fainga’anuku didn’t just idle away his time in France. Instead, he took on a new challenge on the field. Initially a winger and centre, he ventured into the realm of loose forwards, a move that might surprise his fans back home. “In France, I was playing more centre, and then managed to get myself into the loose forwards,” Fainga’anuku shared on the DSPN podcast with John Day. He added,
“Honestly, I enjoy both areas of the game.”
The 25-year-old's robust style lends itself well to the physicality of forward play. “I love it, absolutely love it,” he enthused. With his sights set on continuously evolving, Fainga’anuku sees this as an opportunity to diversify his capabilities on the pitch.
“It’s always been something I want to keep in my back pocket, just to be a hybrid player and bring a whole new dynamic to the game,”
he remarked, stressing his commitment to refining this dual role.The decision to return to New Zealand was influenced by more than just rugby. The birth of his first child in France brought new priorities to the fore, compelling him and his partner to move closer to family. “That sort of changes the dynamics of the future,” he reflected on the impact of fatherhood and the allure of playing in a World Cup so close to home.
Now back on Kiwi soil, Fainga’anuku is not just reacquainting himself with loved ones but also recommitting to his rugby journey. “And just for me personally, just head down, chipping away at what I love doing every day and that’s obviously playing footy,” he concluded, focused on making every moment count both on and off the field.