Leicester Fainga’anuku has emerged as a possible centre option for the All Blacks when they take on the Wallabies in their Bledisloe Cup clash at Eden Park on Saturday.
Fainga’anuku, who is comfortable in midfield or on the wing, last played for New Zealand at the 2023 Rugby World Cup when he started on the left wing in their quarter-final victory over Ireland.
The 25-year-old was parachuted into the All Blacks squad as an injury replacement for Timoci Tavatavanawai at the end of last month.
‘Initially not eligible for All Blacks selection’
Fainga’anuku returned to New Zealand two months ago after spending a couple of seasons at Top 14 heavyweights Toulon and was initially not eligible to return to the All Blacks for their Rugby Championship campaign except for a special exemption.
That injury to Tavatavanawai proved to be that special exemption and Fainga’anuku’s name has been mentioned as a possible option for the All Blacks at outside centre in a bid to stifle the threat posed by Wallabies midfield star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who has shone at international level since making the switch from rugby league last year.
Suaalii is a genuine attacking threat who is currently the leading try-scorer in the Rugby Championship with four five-pointers after four rounds of action in the prestigious Southern Hemisphere competition.
Billy Proctor is New Zealand’s incumbent outside centre and has formed a midfield combination with Jordie Barrett in all their Rugby Championship Tests, but All Blacks coach Scott Robertson could opt for something different for the Wallabies clash.
Apart from Fainga’anuku, Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane are also options for the All Blacks’ number 13 jersey although the latter has played mostly on the wing this year, after being replaced in midfield by Proctor, before being dropped from the matchday squad after the Round Three victory over the Springboks at Eden Park.
All Blacks backline coach Jason Holland was asked at Tuesday’s press conference in Auckland about the threat posed by Suaalii and the possibility of Fainga’anuku facing him and said: “Joseph is an unbelievable talent with some of the stuff he’s doing.
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Fainga’anuku is highly rated
“Leicester brings the same with his physicality and ability to beat people.
“We’re really focusing hard as backs especially on our ability to beat people one on one… that’s really important.”
After claiming a 24-17 win over the Boks at Eden Park, the All Blacks suffered a 43-10 defeat to same opposition a week later in the corresponding fixture in Wellington.
Holland highlighted crucial errors from the All Blacks in that humiliating loss to the Boks which they will have to improve on against the Wallabies.
“There were times especially in the [second] South Africa game… where we give the ball back to the opposition when we didn’t need to,” he said.
“Whether that’s a kick too often or losing the battle in the air – they are a couple of key things where we feel the pressure is released on the opposition.”
The All Blacks are still coming to terms with that loss to the Boks, which was their heaviest ever Test defeat, and a victory over the Wallabies this weekend will give them a chance to restore some lost pride.
“Obviously the boys hurt last week and they’re clear about what the Bledisloe means,” Holland said. “It’s massive for us.”