The All Blacks have recruited Leicester Fainga’anuku into their squad ahead of the test against the Springboks at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday night.
Fainga’anuku, who can play wing or centre, last played for the All Blacks in the World Cup quarterfinal against Ireland in Paris in 2023.
Stuff.co reported that it was his seventh test cap.
He has been playing for Tasman in the National Provincial Championship, having returned to New Zealand after 18 months with French club Toulon.
The 25-year-old joins the All Blacks after midfielder and wing Timoci Tavatavanawi broke his arm playing for Tasman at the weekend and requires surgery.
He is expected to be unavailable for 12 weeks.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has also elected to tell specialist left wing Caleb Clarke to play another game for Auckland this weekend.
Clarke, who returned to play for Auckland against Wellington on Sunday after being sidelined with an ankle injury, has yet to represent the All Blacks this year.
Robertson says Fainga’anuku, who joined the All Blacks squad in Auckland on Sunday, was viewed as a midfielder first and foremost.
He can play second five-eighth and wing, and had impressed Robertson with his footwork and power running.
The All Blacks will host South Africa at 7.05pm this Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies will host Argentina at 4.30pm Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Source: stuff.co.nz
