Will the All Blacks unleash Leicester Fainga’anuku against Scotland in Edinburgh?

Monday, 3 November 2025

ANALYSIS: Leicester Fainga'anuku could have bided his time upon his return to the international arena with the All Blacks.

There's been none of that nonsense.

Because the man who boasts a scruffy mullet that wouldn’t look out of place on a Hollywood set for a movie about bikers and their madcap adventures wants to make things happen. The faster, the better.

Fainga'anuku has galloped out of the gates like a miner seeking his fortune during a gold rush.

The All Blacks coaches should be grateful to have this attacking nugget at their disposal for the Grand Slam tour, as they seek human missiles capable of bruising opponents up north.

It would be easy for critics to say anyone who's given the chance to play for the All Blacks, especially one who elected to sign with French club Toulon after the 2023 World Cup, should be grateful to get picked again and do everything within his powers to repay a debt to the national selectors.

But it doesn't always work like that.

A number of players struggle to meet expectations, as has been the case this season.

There could be a number of reasons as to why they fail to find form; injuries, off-field issues, a lack of understanding of what the coaches expect from them or, simply, an inability to find top gear.

Earlier this season there were reports the NZ Rugby board had instructed All Blacks coach Scott Robertson to ignore Fainga'anuku when he returned to play for Tasman in the NPC because he wouldn't be eligible until the northern tour.

That was news to Robertson. He said so as much when he named his squad for the Rugby Championship.

Fainga'anuku, sure enough, later joined the All Blacks as injury cover.

He played for the All Blacks - his first appearance since the World Cup quarterfinal against Ireland in Paris - on the left wing against the Wallabies in Perth on October 4.

There was more to come.

On Sunday morning, when the All Blacks beat Ireland 26-13 in Chicago, Fainga'anuku replaced injured midfielder Jordie Barrett in the first half at Soldier Field; Fainga'anuku was more than decent against the blitz defence.

When he got the ball, Ireland's tacklers had reason to be nervous. Fainga'anuku made the linebreak that led to the try scored by openside flanker Ardie Savea in the first half, and although he made a handling error, he looked at ease in the high-pressure environment.

Robertson later informed the media that Barrett had injured his ankle, and said more would be known when he had scans in Edinburgh.

Captain and lock Scott Barrett could also be in doubt. He was forced to depart in the opening minutes after suffering a deep cut to his lower leg.

1 If Fainga'anuku starts against Scotland what number will be on his back?

Before coming to any decision on this matter, Robertson must consider the status of Jordie Barrett. If he's scratched, switch to Plan B.

Barrett appeared to be in a great deal of pain when he fell awkwardly after being tackled. It was no surprise when he retired after a brave attempt to punch through the pain barrier.

Quinn Tupaea, who started at centre in Chicago, could relocate to No 12 to allow Fainga'anuku to wear the No 13 jersey in Edinburgh.

Forced to shift to second five-eighth when Barrett was hurt, Tupaea carried nine times and got his hands dirty when foraging for turnovers, claiming three.

Starting Tupaea and Fainga'anuku in the midfield could prove a winner; both thrive on contact, they want to get involved and when they get a scent of the tryline you can see their eyes glow like the exhaust nozzle of an F-15 fighter jet.

2 Where does this leave Rieko Ioane?

Versatility could be Ioane's ace card in Edinburgh.

He can play centre and on both wings. He had 87 test caps. There's a lot to like in that regard.

Robertson has been reluctant to publicly state what messages Ioane has been getting from the coaching staff but for those of us looking from the outside, you could take an educated guess: Get his hands on the ball, and back himself to use his speed and power to make linebreaks.

Billy Proctor, having slid down the order, could be an option at centre, but if Robertson is motivated to pick on form Proctor may be forced to be patient and wait for the Wales test in Cardiff to get a start.

Anton Lienert-Brown may also ask where he fits into the picture.

Vastly experienced, with 86 test caps, Lienert-Brown can play both midfield positions. But if Robertson is committed to recharging his backline attack, and looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup, he must be tempted to look to the future: Tupaea and Fainga'anuku.

3 What happens if Scott Barrett is ruled out of the test against Scotland?

Openside flanker Ardie Savea will be promoted to captain.

Fabian Holland, a player who was uncapped at the start of the year, will become the senior lock.

Josh Lord, who replaced Barrett in Chicago and was given the responsibility of calling the lineouts, is the logical candidate to start alongside Holland.

Sam Darry, who hasn't played a test this year and was recruited because Patrick Tuipulotu was forced to withdraw from the tour squad because of a shoulder injury, would be in the reserves.

The All Blacks are burning through fit locks at an alarming rate. Tupou Vaa'i, who would have been in the starting XV if fit, was left in New Zealand because of a bung knee.

Samipeni Finau, listed on the official squad sheet as blindside flanker/lock, is an option to be on the bench instead of Darry.

The All Blacks XV squad could be asked to surrender a player as insurance, in case of another injury.

Isaia Walker-Leawere and Naitoa Ah Kuoi didn’t play the Barbarians in Brentford at the weekend because they were hurt, so the All Blacks may pick Josh Beehre or Caleb Delany.

4 Will the All Blacks make any other changes?

Before leaving New Zealand, Robertson, in all likelihood, would have had a rough plan of who would play in each test.

Being prepared to make changes is crucial; injuries and poor form can't be overlooked.

Scotland thumped the United States on Sunday. England - the All Blacks' next opponent after the Edinburgh experience - made the Wallabies look average in London. That also had to be taken into account.

Loosehead prop Tamaiti Williams could be given a start in place of Ethan de Groot in Edinburgh.

That would enable Robertson and forwards coach Jason Ryan to assess the merits of each player, as well as keeping de Groot fresh if he's to start against England.

5 Who will referee the test between the All Blacks and Scotland in Edinburgh?

Nic Berry, an Australian, will be the man with the whistle.

After the frustrating, at times shambolic situation in Chicago, when French referee Pierre Brousset and his off-field officials did little to help promote the sport in the United States, it's hoped there will be a better outcome in Scotland.

Gone are the days when the conversation about the most influential person on the park stopped after we learned the name of the ref.

It pays to sit on the edge of your chair when scanning for the names of the Television Match Official and Foul Play Review Official. They have the ability to turn a game into a farce.

The TMO and FPRO in Edinburgh will be Marius van der Westhuizen and Marius Jonke, both South Africans.

Three southern hemisphere officials. What could go wrong?