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“At the end of the day, I owe this jersey a lot, and I ve still got a lot to give at the age of 21. Looking at the next two years, I m just here to bleed for this region and the people that support it.” Fainga’anuku, a member of the Crusader s academy since he was 15, is one of the most destructive backs in the country, and has been tipped by some pundits to crack the All Blacks later this year.
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Crusader Leicester Fainga’anuku pictured training in Christchurch earlier this season. As Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson said, he’s been critical to them this season, thriving at wing and at centre, where he’s filled in admirably for the injured Jack Goodhue and Braydon Ennor.
“Those weeks for them are tough to watch, but also give them a full tank. Their energy is high, and they ve led the week really well.” The return of the aforementioned players has been partially offset by the unavailability of Codie Taylor (All Blacks rest), and loose forward Cullen Grace.
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Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock is back after sitting out last week’s close shave with the Force in Christchurch. The return of Blackadder, who was knocked out late in the team’s demolition job of the Reds is Brisbane on May 22, is timely against a team which likes to get stuck in at the breakdown.