All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has outlined a plan to deploy Leicester Fainga’anuku in a hybrid role covering the wing, midfield, and loose forward positions, suggesting the 26-year-old’s versatility could enable a six-two bench split for future test matches.
Fainga’anuku recently returned to action for Tasman following a three-month recovery from a fibula fracture and an ankle sprain sustained during Super Rugby Pacific.
During a recent outing, Fainga’anuku came off the bench at halftime to replace Rory Scott at flanker as Tasman secured a 45-26 victory over Bay of Plenty. He also started in the No. 7 jersey against Waikato before leaving the field following a head injury assessment, with his provincial minutes coming in the forward pack rather than his customary wide channels.
Dave Rennie Sets Sights on End-of-Year Tour for Returning Forward
National selectors are monitoring the player’s match fitness closely as the squad prepares for its end-of-year schedule. Rennie indicated that strong performances over the coming weeks would place the 26-year-old firmly in selection contention.
“So he’s certainly someone who would generally look towards the end-of-year tour if he goes well over the next few weeks, but him staying and playing in Tasman would be good for him, be good for them and give us a bit of clarity that he’s ready to go for an end-of-year tour.”
Dave Rennie, All Blacks coach
The coaching staff believes that adding a multi-positional athlete who can cover loose forwards alongside outside backs gives the team selection flexibility.
“He could definitely play a hybrid role, we talked about the fact that if he’d have been available for South Africa, he’d be gold because he can cover midfield, cover wing, cover loose forward, and we’d end up potentially with a 6-2 split.”
Dave Rennie, All Blacks coach
Provincial Competition Serves as Test Ground for National Squad Members
Rennie described the provincial tournament as the greatest provincial competition in the world
during an interview with Newstalk ZB, praising its tribal nature and connection to local supporters.
“It’s a great comp. It’s part of our rugby fabric here. The rugby is tribal. In some of those smaller unions, people may not be massive supporters of Super because their players don’t get to represent one team. They’ve scattered a bit. On the weekend, they get a chance to go down and watch players whose fathers and grandfathers have worn the jersey before.”
Dave Rennie, All Blacks coach
Fourteen players involved in recent international fixtures returned to their respective unions for the final round of the regular season. Beauden Barrett rejoined Taranaki for his first appearance in the provincial competition since 2020, while other internationals lined up for provincial sides across the country ahead of the playoffs.
Thursday night in Dunedin kicked off the domestic round as Otago and Auckland faced one another, with prop Saula Ma’u prepared to don the blue and gold hoops once again. On Friday night, loose forwards Semisi Ta’eiloa and Simon Parker lined up for Southland and Northland respectively at Invercargill Rugby Park. On Saturday afternoon, Canterbury had hooker George Bell and lock Sam Darry available against Manawatū in Palmerston North, while Wellington headed to Stadium Taranaki with prop Siale Lauaki in their ranks. Bay of Plenty closed out the round-robin stage when they hosted North Harbour at Tauranga Domain, with Emoni Narawa and Fehi Fineanganofo featuring in their backline.
Rennie stepped into the head coaching role the following year and immediately steered Wellington to their inaugural NPC championship since 1986 during his debut campaign, having commenced his coaching journey as an assistant with the Wellington Lions back in 1999. He stayed with the Lions until 2002 before later coaching the Manawatū Turbos from 2005 to 2011 on a role that began as a short-term contract, leading them to a runner-up finish in the Championship division of the 2011 ITM Cup.