All Blacks boost as Leicester Fainga'anuku returns home to New Zealand
09/26/2024 06:57 AM
Toulon assistant coach Andrea Masi said on Thursday they are “extremely disappointed” to be losing New Zealand winger Leicester Fainga’anuku at the end of the season.
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Fainga’anuku will return to the Crusaders at the end of the French Top 14 campaign in June after two years in southern France.
Leicester Fainga’anuku has played seven Tests for New Zealand
The 24-year-old has been ineligible for the All Blacks since joining Toulon.
“We’re very disappointed to lose him, he’s an exceptional player,” Masi told reporters.
“We know he still has a very important role to play for us this season and he’ll give his best until the end.”
Fainga’anuku made the last of his seven New Zealand appearances at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and has scored nine tries in 19 games for Toulon, featuring also at centre.
"We're of course excited to have Leicester come back into the fold here at the Crusaders for the 2026 season," said Colin Mansbridge, Crusaders CEO.
"He's an outstanding young man who has continued to show what a remarkable athlete he is during his time in Europe. It was wonderful to connect with him when he joined us to watch the Crusaders play Munster in January and it felt like he hadn't left."
Rob Penney, Crusaders head coach, said the move was "fantastic news for rugby in New Zealand".
"Leicester is a huge asset to any team he is a part of, so to have him back in Christchurch is really positive," Penney said.
"He has plenty of years left to play at the top level, and we're all very pleased he's chosen to return to the Crusaders. I'm sure all members and fans will be just as excited as we are to see him run out onto the new turf at One New Zealand Stadium for that 2026 season."
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