Leicester Fainga’anuku Returns in All Blacks Northern Tour Squad
- Leicester Fainga’anuku returns to the All Blacks for the upcoming Northern Tour after being named in Dave Rennie’s 36-strong squad.
- Fainga’anuku is one of two additions in the loose forwards, joined by Crusaders teammate Christian Lio-Willie.
- First five-eighth Richie Mo’unga and loose forward Ethan Blackadder both return to the fold after recovering from calf injuries.
Leicester Fainga’anuku returns to the All Blacks for the upcoming Northern Tour after being named in Dave Rennie’s 36-strong squad. The 27-year-old, who has 12 tests to his name in the backline, has been named among the loose forwards for the touring party.
Squad Additions and Injury Returns
Fainga’anuku is one of two additions in the loose forwards, joined by Crusaders teammate Christian Lio-Willie. Lio-Willie earns a recall after last playing for the All Blacks against Wales last November. Rennie’s 36-man selection also accommodates several players returning from injuries that forced them to miss the Bledisloe Cup campaign.
Leicester Fainga'anuku strikes first blood for the All Blacks at Twickenham. 😤pic.twitter.com/fAN02cZnbn
First five-eighth Richie Mo’unga and loose forward Ethan Blackadder both return to the fold after recovering from calf injuries. Blackadder sustained his injury during warm-ups prior to the first test in Auckland. Among the other players making their comeback are midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown, outside back Chay Fihaki, lock Jamie Hannah, tighthead prop Saula Ma’u, and hooker George Bell.
Full 36-Man Tour Roster
The traveling group covers every position group ahead of the overseas fixtures:
- Hookers: Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua, George Bell
- Props: Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Saula Ma’u
- Locks: Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Jamie Hannah, Tupou Vaa’i
- Loose forwards: Anton Segner, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi
- Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Kyle Preston, Cortez Ratima
- First five-eighths: Richie Mo’unga, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb
- Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Anton Lienert-Brown
- Outside backs: Rieko Ioane, Chay Fihaki, Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett
Several players remain unavailable for selection due to injuries or personal reasons. The unavailable list includes Samisoni Taukei’aho, Shannon Frizell, Tyrel Lomax, Leroy Carter, Ruben Love, Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Caleb Clarke, Ollie Norris, and Simon Parker.
Northern Tour Fixtures and Schedule
The squad departs for the United Kingdom on Thursday to prepare for a demanding schedule against northern hemisphere opponents. Rennie acknowledged the scale of the upcoming assignment.
Playing Scotland, Wales and England on consecutive weekends is a tough assignment. These are all proud rugby nations with passionate home crowds. We will embrace the challenge and the opportunity to build on our Bledisloe Cup performances.
Dave Rennie
Following a fixture against Scotland on November 8 and a meeting with Wales on November 15, the squad takes on England on November 22, leading up to the Nations Championship finals in London over the weekend of November 28-30.