All Blacks coach Dave Rennie on Tuesday confirmed a positional switch for Leicester Fainga’anuku when naming his squad for next month’s Nations Championship tour.
The winger-turned-loose-forward broke his leg and injured his ankle towards the end of the Crusaders’ Super Rugby campaign, and is yet to play for New Zealand under Rennie.
During the Super Rugby season Fainga’anuku, who has 12 Test caps, switched into the loose forwards under Rob Penney, causing a nuisance at the ruck while still offering his devastating running game.
Highlanders prop Saula Ma’u and Chiefs flyhalf Josh Jacomb are the only uncapped Test players in the All Blacks squad, though both featured against URC sides during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
Hooker Codie Taylor will captain the team in place of the injured Ardie Savea (shoulder).
Flyhalf Ruben Love (ankle) is among the long list of players unavailable for the tour through injury, giving Richie Mo’unga – who has recovered from a calf tear that ruled him out of the Bledisloe Cup series – more time to reacquaint himself with international rugby.
Also missing through injury are Samisoni Taukei’aho (calf), Shannon Frizell (knee), Tyrel Lomax (neck), Leroy Carter (ankle), Luke Jacobson (elbow), Caleb Clarke (shoulder) and Ollie Norris (knee). Simon Parker was unavailable for personal reasons.
Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Emoni Narawa were among the notable omissions.
Rennie praised the new additions to his severely injury-hit squad, saying they had shown “fantastic form” in domestic rugby.
“They bring a lot of quality and experience to the group.
“Playing Scotland [7 November], Wales [14 November] and England [21 November] on consecutive weekends is a tough assignment. These are all proud rugby nations with passionate home crowds.
“We will embrace the challenge and the opportunity to build on our Bledisloe Cup performances”.
All Blacks squad
Backs: Cam Roigard, Kyle Preston, Cortez Ratima, Richie Mo’unga, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Anton Leinert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Chay Fihaki, Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett.
Forwards: Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua, George Bell, Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Saula Ma’u, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Jamie Hannah, Tupou Vaa’i, Anton Segner, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi.
– AFP
Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
The post Fainga’anuku returns to All Blacks in new role appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie on Tuesday confirmed a positional switch for Leicester Fainga’anuku when naming his squad for next month’s Nations Championship tour.
The post Fainga’anuku returns to All Blacks in new role appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
