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Rennie weighs in on Fainga'anuku's potential as All Blacks dual-threat
Stephen Foote •  May 12th, 2026 11:57 am
Leicester Fainga'anuku | Photo: Photosport
Leicester Fainga'anuku's stellar positional pivot to flanker hasn't gone unnoticed by new All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie.
The traditional wing/centre raised eyebrows across the country when he was named in the hallowed Crusaders No. 7 jersey, shifting from the backline to the thick of the pack.
Since his initial relocation against the Waratahs, Fainga'anuku has strung together a trio of outstanding performances which have given coach Rob Penney no choice but to retain him on the side of the scrum, a tactical masterstroke which has proven too successful to abandon.
The 26-year-old has been the only player to win two turnovers in the Crusaders last two games, both against NZ opposition, while he’s completed 35 tackles and carried on average more than 14 times a game. He’s also conceded just two turnovers since his switch.
The experiment has been so successful the chorus has grown for Fainga'anuku to bring his Swiss Army knife skillset to the Test arena, where his versatility as a dual threat would be a unique asset - particularly off the bench.
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While Penney's concept was to utilise Fainga'anuku's reputed power running game to add a point of difference in attack, it's the efforts in the finer arts of loose forward play which have left the most lasting impression on Rennie.
"He's gone well," Rennie said. "I've been really impressed from a work ethic point of view.Â
"He's carrying a lot, he's stealing a lot of ball."
An intangible of huge importance to Rennie which doesn't show up on on the stat sheet is the concept of 'back in game, go again', which details how quickly a player can get back into a position of use, whether that occurs inside three seconds.
Should a player not compete to Rennie's required standard at Kobe, they’re made to go see him on a Tuesday after match day to take part in drills which focus on that area.
Ardie Savea was said to be in Rennie’s sights in his first season in Japan, though hasn’t been to the headmaster’s office in his second stint.
Should a player not compete to Rennie's required standard at Kobe, they’re made to go see him on a Tuesday after match day to take part in drills which focus on that area.
Ardie Savea was said to be in Rennie’s sights in his first season in Japan, though hasn’t been to the headmaster’s office in his second stint.
Dave Rennie on Leicester Fainga'anuku as an All Blacks No. 7 | Sport Nation
Since his 2022 debut, the Nelson product has played all 12 of his Test matches on the left wing. He had previously made a handful of outings at flanker with French Top 14 side Toulon, where he spent a hiatus from NZ rugby between 2023-25.
In regards to Fainga'anuku's standing as an international flanker, Rennie noted there was considerable scope for improvement before he's the finished product on the global stage.
But it's clear Rennie is intrigued by the 26-year-old's potential to add diversity to an All Blacks gameday squad, particularly in what it affords the make-up of a bench.
"I know there's a lot to refine there in his game as a seven, but his ability to play out on the edge as a winger or seven gives you genuine versatility in your squad.Â
"You pick a 6-2 split, You've got someone who can genuinely play at Test level out wide.Â
"He's been a point of discussion."
When it came to whether he could see Fainga'anuku wearing the famed black No. 7 jersey, Rennie played a cautious hand.
"Time will tell."
Watch the full interview below:
