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According to the French publication, recently capped All Black and Crusaders winger Leicester Fainga’anuku have been targeted by two interested top-14 clubs Rugby Rama.
Bordeaux Begles and Clermont are two interested clubs that are pursuing a strong Crusader outside linebacker who can play either wing or outside center.
Clermont has lost France international Damian Penault to bitter rivals Bordeaux, who are now looking for a suitable replacement, and Bordeaux have been aggressively recruiting star outside linebackers in recent years.
Despite signing Penaud, Begles will be without Argentinian Santiago Cordero, as well as Geoffrey Cros and Italian Federico Mori, the other wingers on the list and are hoping to sign again.
The 23-year-old’s contract with New Zealand Rugby expires after 2023 and it would be a shocking loss for the young star to leave France so early in his career.
After making his debut with the Crusaders in 2019, Fainga’anuku has become a mainstay in Scott Robertson’s title-winning side, often playing center forward when injuries strike.
Since going solo in 2019, the standout outside linebacker has played 82 Super League games for the Crusaders in just over three seasons, making 37 appearances, while winning two New Zealand Super Rugby titles and last year’s inaugural Pacific Super League. Rugby game.
His performance for the Crusaders gave the All Blacks his first appearance, and he was called up for the series against Ireland, making his debut in the first Test at Eden Park, which he won 42-19.
He retained his starting spot for the second Test but a horror night for the All Blacks saw the young crusader fall victim to the series decider.
He was recalled to the year-end tour after missing out on the Rugby Championship selection, but resigned and returned from Japan for family reasons.
A move to France would mean the end of Fainga’anuku’s brief All Blacks career due to current restrictions on overseas players, but it would not necessarily be the end of his international break.
The son of former Tonga international Malakai Fainga’anuku can complete the switch during a three-year hiatus and follow in his father’s footsteps.
Leicester’s younger brother Tima, who currently plays for the Pacific island nation of Moana, has made six appearances for Tonga so far after completing a two-year stint with France’s Perpignan.
If the transfer goes through, Fainga’anuku will become the second All Blacks to move on in 2022, with Chiefs No. 8 Pitagus Sovakura confirmed for France.
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