A talented wing who has made a significant impact in the rugby world with his speed and agility on the field, earning him a spot in the All Blacks squad.
Leicester Faingaanuku is a name that has been making waves in the world of rugby, known for his exceptional skills on the field as a wing for Toulon in the French Top 14 and his representation of New Zealand internationally.
Faingaanuku was born on October 11, 1999, in Tonga, and was educated at Nelson College, where he captained the school's 1st XV team.
Faingaanuku's father, Tau Faingaanuku, played prop for Tonga in the 1999 Rugby World Cup, and one of the games during the World Cup was played at Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, England. As a tribute to this memorable game, Tau named his son after the city, with Wales and Twickenham added as middle names to commemorate the next match.
Faingaanuku's senior career began when he was named in the Tasman Mako squad for the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup season. He made his debut in Round 8 against Otago at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, coming off the bench in a 21-47 win for the Mako. He was part of the Tasman team that won the Mitre 10 Cup for the first time in 2019 and again in 2020.
In 2021, Faingaanuku had an outstanding Bunnings NPC season as Tasman made it to the final, ultimately losing 23-20 to Waikato.
Faingaanuku was named in the Crusaders squad for the 2019 Super Rugby season, signing a three-year contract with the franchise. He made his debut for the franchise off the bench against the Brumbies in Round 11, although it was his only game in the 2019 season as the Crusaders went on to win their third Super Rugby title in a row.
In the following seasons, Faingaanuku solidified his position in the matchday squad, becoming a regular starter from 2022. He impressed during the 2022 season, finishing as the joint top try scorer.
Faingaanuku's rise to fame is not only a testament to his hard work and dedication but also a tribute to his family's rich rugby heritage.
With his exceptional skills and determination, Leicester Faingaanuku is undoubtedly a name to watch in the world of rugby, with a bright future ahead of him.
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