Leicester Fainga’anuku admits that he will miss Toulon and the Top 14 after stating that he ‘prefers’ it to rugby back in New Zealand.
The 25-year-old made the choice to sign for the French giants on an 18-month contract following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but he has decided to return to the Crusaders with a view on the next global tournament in Australia.
Fainga’anuku has therefore forgone the financial riches on offer in the Top 14 to put his all into securing a place in the All Blacks 23 ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
The versatile back, who can play at either wing or centre, will depart at the end of the northern hemisphere campaign and will be back playing Super Rugby in 2026.
“I’m going to miss this place, that’s for sure. What is for certain… I’ve loved Toulon, the Top 14, and all the guys I’ve played with,” he told reporters in France.
“I like playing in New Zealand but, for rugby, I prefer the Top 14.”
All Blacks ambitions and family
While the All Blacks dream played a role in his return, there are also personal circumstances which led to Fainga’anuku choosing to return to New Zealand instead of remaining in France.
“I had to make a difficult choice. I had to go home for my wife, my family. It was important for us to go home, even more so with the birth of my child. My son will grow up surrounded by his family,” he said.
“You know the rules as well as I do. The rules are tough, I can’t be selected for the All Blacks while being abroad. That’s also one of the positive aspects of going back to New Zealand. I can offer my services to the All Blacks.”
It is a decision his coach at Toulon, Pierre Mignoni, very much understands, although he would welcome Fainga’anuku back should the powerhouse open the door for a return after the 2027 World Cup.
“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,” Mignoni said. “Maybe, in the future, I will be able to get him back too.”
Mignoni also gave an insight into Fainga’anuku’s approach, stating that he always produces on game day, even when it might not be going so well in training.
“He is a player who only wants to perform. He is a match player,” he added.
“Sometimes, in training, you wonder if he is there. He has a relationship with training… Be careful, that does not mean that he does not hurt himself. But he is a match player.
“I have known players like that. He lights up in a match. I have also seen training champions fade away in a match. I prefer the opposite.”
Centre or wing?
Fainga’anuku predominantly played on the wing at the start of his career, but the speedster has mainly featured at centre for Toulon, a switch he has enjoyed.
“I always thought that one day, I would switch to centre. I already had the opportunity to do it in New Zealand, but Pierre and the staff offered me a slightly longer stint [in the position]. It was a privilege and I appreciated the opportunity,” he said.
“I feel like I have more influence on the game. You can manage the momentum of the match, you are also more connected to the teammates around you.
“You feel like you can help them… I love that! Now, I want to keep both facets, by being able to play on the wing as well as in the centre.
“I now understand what is expected of a winger or a centre. But, no matter the position, I am always ready to be on the field.”
READ MORE: L’Equipe reveals SHOCK Team of the Year with DOUBLE the number of French stars than Springboks
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/leicester-faingaanuku-reveals-preference-for-top-14-over-super-rugby-as-all-blacks-powerhouse-opens-up-on-new-zealand-return
