Crusaders praise Fainga'anuku after successful move to forwards

WELLINGTON: The Canterbury Crusaders said Leicester Fainga'anuku's shift from the backline to the forward pack has delivered more than they expected after the defending champions secured a key Super Rugby victory.

Fainga'anuku played at flanker in Friday night's 36-20 win over the higher-ranked Auckland Blues in Christchurch and was one of the standout performers. It was the 26-year-old's third straight start in the pack, despite all 12 of his Test appearances for New Zealand having come as an outside back.

Crusaders coach Rob Penney said he had seen enough physical strength and ability to break tackles in Fainga'anuku's game to consider the positional change, while acknowledging the risks involved.

You don't want to burden a player by putting them in a position that might compromise them, because there's a lot more brutality and physicality in the forwards.

Penney told reporters.

But he really wanted to do it and I'm just so pleased for the man.

He's had three goes now and he's learning every week. He's adding value on both sides of the ball now and he's emptying his tank.

Fainga'anuku made a strong impact around the breakdown, where he won several turnovers, and he repeatedly beat defenders close to the ruck. His backline skills also remained evident during the match.

The former Toulon player delivered the final pass for the opening try, scored by prop George Bower in his 100th appearance for the Crusaders. Fainga'anuku also helped create two more tries with attacking kicks that were finished by Jamie Hannah and Sevu Reece.

The Crusaders were behind 13-12 at halftime but responded strongly after the break, scoring four of their six tries in the second half to seal the 36-20 result.

Fainga'anuku relishing the challenge

Fainga'anuku said playing in the forwards had left him feeling more physically worn down than any game he had played as an outside back, but added that he was enjoying the role.

It's a tough job and it's an awesome challenge that I enjoy waking up to,

I wouldn't say I'm comfortable but it always makes it easier when you've got a good forward pack like we do.

The win moved the Crusaders up one place to fourth in the standings with three rounds left before the play-offs.

They went above the Queensland Reds, who lost 31-21 to the second-placed Waikato Chiefs in Brisbane, extending the visitors' winning run to six matches.

The Blues, meanwhile, suffered their fourth defeat of the season and remained third before next week's game against competition leaders the Wellington Hurricanes.