The 26-year-old has taken some time to find his feet in his return to Super Rugby with the Crusaders, moving from the wing to the bench to the midfield to the bench and back to the midfield in seven appearances this year. <\/p>\n
But when openside flanker Johnny Lee was replaced by first five-eighths Rivez Reihana with 20 minutes to go against the Drua on Friday, Fainga\u2019anuku got his chance to grab the attention of All Blacks selectors in a different manner. <\/p>\n
For the final quarter of the contest, it was Fainga\u2019anuku who moved into the loose trio, packing down at the back of the scrum and getting to test himself in the thick of the action. It was the first time Crusaders coach Rob Penney had called on Fainga\u2019anuku to shift into No 8, but most likely not the last. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s such a tiger, and he loves it. It\u2019s not like we\u2019re putting him in there against his will. He\u2019s very much part of that discussion. It\u2019s awesome, he\u2019s literally a hybrid,\u201d Penney said after the match. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s probably his superpower, to be physical and dominate with subtle touches on the edges of that. He\u2019s a great acquisition for us.\u201d <\/p>\n
The hybrid player has become a real asset at test level in recent times. The Springboks have Kwagga Smith, who seems to be able to play anywhere he\u2019s told to, and midfield\/flanker Andre Esterhuizen. England have Ben Earl, who can also move between the midfield and loose trio, and Henry Pollock, who is a loosie by trade but can also cover the wing. <\/p>\n
Fainga\u2019anuku adding this element to his arsenal will only make him a more appealing prospect for a new coaching group looking at ways to maximise their game-day options, though it could involve Fainga\u2019anuku being pinned to a bench role where that versatility can be best utilised. <\/p>\n
Loser: Wounded Warriors <\/p>\n
The thing about bright beginnings is that somewhere along the way a patch of darkness will encroach on the path. From 3-0 and everything going right to 3-2 and the losses coming with interest in the form of injuries, the dark patch on the road has come quickly for the Warriors. <\/p>\n
In last week\u2019s loss to Wests Tigers, they lost Mitch Barnett to a thumb injury. On Sunday evening against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Shark Park, they saw star Luke Metcalf (hamstring) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (neck) hobble off the field in the second half. <\/p>\n
Both Barnett and Metcalf missed the start of the season due to knee injuries, and again face time on the sidelines. While the severity of Metcalf\u2019s latest injury is not yet clear, Warriors coach Andrew Webster confirmed the half would not be available for next weekend\u2019s clash with the Melbourne Storm. The coach did, however, indicate Nicoll-Klokstad would likely be available for the trip to Melbourne. <\/p>\n
But that\u2019s exactly what the Warriors don\u2019t need right now \u2013 an away trip to the Storm. That not only because of the losses, but the way they have come. <\/p>\n
After a strong start to the NRL season, the Warriors have struggled over the past two weeks. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
In the first three weeks of the season, the Warriors were spectacular. Their attack was crisp, averaging 40 points per game, and their defence matched. But after conceding just 36 points through their first three weeks, the Warriors have let in more than 30 points in both of their last two games, with the edge defence a particular cause for concern. <\/p>\n
The Warriors have not beaten the Storm since 2015, and you have to go back another year to find the last time they beat the Storm in Melbourne. They are currently on a 17-game losing streak to the Storm. <\/p>\n
Melbourne are currently on a three-game skid, giving up double-digit leads against the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys before having 50 put on them by the Penrith Panthers on Good Friday. <\/p>\n
You just know coach Craig Bellamy is going to have his side fired up to welcome a wounded Warriors side who conceded nine linebreaks and 36 points against the Sharks to AAMI Park this weekend. <\/p>\n
Winner: Bev Priestman<\/p>\n
Hat\u2019s off to the coach of the Wellington Phoenix Women\u2019s team.<\/a> <\/p>\n The side secured a top-two finish in the A-League Women\u2019s competition with their 2-0 win over Adelaide on Friday, meaning they get a free pass into the semi-finals. It\u2019s the first time in five seasons that the women\u2019s team have made the playoffs. <\/p>\n Signing Priestman to lead the side this season was a decision that turned a few heads after her role in the Olympic drone saga,<\/a> where her Canadian team were caught spying on the Football Ferns\u2019 preparations. <\/p>\n Priestman was banned from all football-related activities for a year as a result and has since said in interviews that she didn\u2019t feel safe in Canada afterwards. <\/p>\n Eventually relocating to New Zealand with her wife, former Football Fern Emma Humphries, and son Jack, Priestman could easily have stayed away from the game \u2013 or at least roles within the game that put you in the spotlight.<\/p>\nBev Priestman took the reins with the Wellington Phoenix Women’s team after serving a one-year ban from football. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n