Returning from a rib injury, the New Zealand international put the Glasgow defense to torture last Sunday, notably scoring a double at the end of an intense standoff (30-29). The center, with a “rare” profile according to three-quarter coach Andrea Masi, has become, over the months, one of the keystones of the Toulouse attack.
In Toulon, as elsewhere, there is always an mystical side of seeing an All Black arrive among his own. Landed two years ago on the harbor, with a more-than-perfect curriculum vitae (vice-world champion, winner of three Super Rugby and top scorer in the competition in 2022-2023 with 13 tries in as many matches) , Leicester Fainga’anuku will not have disappointed, like some before him, the Var leaders and supporters. The New Zealand international (7 caps) achieves this feat in an unexpected three-quarter center position.
The most effective winger in Super Rugby for the Crusaders under the leadership of Scott Robertson, who has since become the coach of the All Blacks, the native of Nuku’alofa (Tonga) had the intelligence, in consultation with the Var staff, to adapt to the game played in the northern hemisphere. In Toulon, during his first appearances in the Top 14, he was placed in the corridor with instructions “to go look for work”.
Ultimately, the person concerned found himself in a middle ground, torn between waiting for balls which did not always arrive on the wing and a role not really assimilated in the current game. Since last February, Pierre Mignoni and his deputies have finally made a clear decision: Fainga’anuku has become the anchor at the center of the game. For what reasons? “Because Leicester is a player who changes everything on the pitch, admits Andrea Masi. You want to see him, as much as possible, with the ball in his hands. His greatest asset, as everyone can see, is his strength through contact.”
Masi: “I have never been to such a powerful three-quarter center”
At the heart of the debates, the son of Malakai Fainga’anuku, former Tongan international pillar, can thus assert his power several times in a sequence. “He really has a unique physique,” his coach continues. didn’t expect him to be able to keep up the pace set by Glasgow. He’s a special guy, a special guy. He’s a guy who comes back as if he’s never been injured. efficiency in direct play This was our plan against Glasgow, which is. a team comfortable defending from the outside In these cases, Leicester are formidable because they systematically gain the upper hand against their direct opponents, and even during ‘pick & go’ sessions.
It is in this area that he scored his first try last Sunday. A house specialty which had already been revealed last year, notably against Paris. “I have never had or known such a powerful three-quarter center. But we shouldn’t just talk about power. He is capable of attacking the right shoulder, or the right space. In fact, he attacks the right place and then he trusts his legs and his thighs. His legs always allow him, even when standing still, to gain meters against anyone. But Leicester is much more than a powerful player. “
However, it is in this aspect that it is used most of the time. During his absence, the Varois also placed much more emphasis on the game of movement with centers with different characteristics. “It is true, concedes the Italian, that we would also like to use Leicester’s qualities a little more in this sense. It all also depends on the game plan. I assure you that Leicester knows how to do both. He’s a brilliant boy on the offloads. Against Glasgow, we had a clear plan which was to have a direct game. We decided to move the ball less compared to the Stormers (Fainga’anuku was not there to witness the birth of his son, Editor’s note). Leicester likes to bring the ball to life, especially because he was trained with New Zealand culture, as he likes to play through contact. He feels the game and knows how to manage the tempo. Sometimes he feels that the ball is slow and that he has to move forward. When the balls are fast, like on the second try against Glasgow, he also knows how to attack spaces. Leicester are useful because they can change the way they attack in relation to opponents. There will be Pau this weekend, which has a different defense to that of Glasgow. What I like is having a team capable of adapting to what is happening in front of them. Leicester are part of this rugby and we are really happy to have him with us.” For just a few more months.
Fainga’anuku is in fact living his last moments in Toulon after answering the call of the country and the Crusaders with the aim of playing in the 2027 World Cup in Australia. In the meantime, during his farewell speech to his partners, he announced that he intended to return to his homeland with a medal around his neck. A wish that he also wants to come true to definitively enter the hearts of the people of Toulon.
