At the end of this exercise, the Var center will pack his bags to return to New Zealand and thus be able to apply with the All Blacks. In front of the press, the person concerned justified his choice and left the door open to a return to the harbor after the World Cup in Australia.
Arriving in the press room with Lewis Ludlam, Leicester Fainga'anuku was polite in wishing his entire audience a happy new year. A few minutes later, still with a smile on his face, the person was more direct when asked what we could wish him for the New Year: “A shield.”
Fainga'anuku may have announced his return to the Crusaders several weeks ago, but the 2023 world vice-champion nonetheless remains “focused”, as he likes to remind us, on his end of his adventure in Toulon. “I had to make a difficult choice. I had to return home for my wife, my family. It was important for us to come home, even more so with the birth of my child. My son will grow up in being surrounded by his family.” So a purely family choice? “You know the rules as well as I do. The rules are difficult… I can't be selected for the All Blacks while being abroad. It's also one of the positive aspects of returning to New Zealand. I can thus offer my services to the All Blacks.”
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A factor that Pierre Mignoni was unable to combat: “I know Scott Robertson. He had already warned me, when he signed here, that he was young, that he would like to get him back (laughs). Perhaps, in the future, I will also be able to have him. recover (he's still laughing). He's a player who only wants to perform. He's a match player Sometimes, in training, you wonder if he's there. It has something to do with training… Be careful, that doesn't mean that he doesn't get hurt. But he's a match player. I've known players like that. […] I have also seen training champions die in matches. I prefer the opposite. For the rest, there is nothing to say. He has been incredible since his return. It is decisive. He must continue. He will have some strong players facing him in the coming weeks, notably one, this weekend, who played here and who we know well (Tuisova, Editor's note). It will be a good duel. “
“Come back to Toulon? I would like that to be possible (laughs) if…!”
Coming just after his coach in front of the journalists, the native of Nuku'alofa (Tonga) was questioned regarding what looked like a foot call: “I'm going to miss this place. That's for sure. You know, I'm a guy who thinks often. I'd like it to be possible (laughs) if… We also have to discuss it with Pierre and the club. Which is certain… I loved Toulon, the Top 14, and all the guys I played with I like playing in New Zealand, but for rugby, I prefer the Top 14.
In the Toulon project, the All Black (7 selections) knows that he had a central place, in particular thanks to his repositioning of the wing in the center of the attack. “I always thought that one day I would be in this position. I had already had the opportunity to do it in New Zealand, but Pierre and the staff offered me a slightly longer opportunity. It was a privilege and I appreciated this opportunity. I feel like I have more influence on the game. You can manage the momentum of the match. you feel like you can help them… I love it! Now, I want to keep both facets, being able to play on the wing as well as in the center. I now understand what is expected of a winger or a center. But, whatever the positions, I. I'm always ready to be on the field.”
It is not, in any case, his partner Lewis Ludlam who will say the opposite while using British humor. “He's a horrible guy, I can't stand this guy (laughs)… I'm going to miss him a lot next season! He's an important guy for the group. He's just discovered the role of father, he told me beaten by nothing (laughs). I'm next on the list. I'm going to miss him a lot as a teammate, but especially as a person. I think it's important that we get the best out of him on the pitch. and beyond, over the coming months.” And thus give ourselves the opportunity to go as far as possible in the Top 14 and the Champions Cup.
