All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie says he’s thrilled with the inclusion of versatile Crusaders loose-forward Leicester Fainga’anuku in his 36-man squad for the Nations Championship.

The 27-year-old is yet to feature for Rennie in 2026 and has recovered well from a nasty leg injury at the back end of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

Fainga’anuku, who holds 12 Test caps for the All Blacks, pulled out of Tasman’s Hilux NPC quarter-final just over three weeks ago due to concussion but has been cleared fit ahead of the tour.

The Crusaders loose-forward utility has showcased his versatility across 2026, starting several games for the Canterbury-based Super Rugby Pacific franchise at No.7, while also having the ability to cover multiple backline positions.

Explaining his selections to media on Tuesday morning, the All Blacks head coach said he’s excited to get Fainga’anuku into camp.

“Obviously, we’ve named five locks, six loose-forwards but if you consider Tupou can play loose, and then Leicester can play midfield and wing and that sort of thing, we got a lot of flexibility there,” Rennie said in Auckland.

“We would have been keen for Leicester to go to Africa, which gives you real flexibility on the bench. It’s not just throwing someone in.

“He’s shown at super level that he can do the job really well, and the challenge for him is often getting your head around all the detail, and maybe seven is not quite as challenging because the lineout options and other things are simpler.

“It gives you massive flexibility. You can name a five-three-three bench, but it’s generally a six-two, and he can definitely make impact in all of those spots.

“I’m excited to get Leicester in. It’s been a frustrating last few months for him.

“Came back from injury and then got a concussion with Tasman. But he’s been running really well over the last sort of couple of weeks, and it’ll be great to have him, and he gives us genuine flexibility.”

With most of the discussion being around where Fainga’anuku will play for the All Blacks, Rennie said that he sees him as a genuine “hybrid” player.

“No, no, definitely hybrid. I like he’s played a lot of wing for the All Blacks. I think he’s very comfortable at 12, and he’s played a fair bit of seven this year.

“He could generally fill a number of spots.”

Fainga’anuku’s last Test for the All Blacks was last year’s Wales Test on the end-of-year tour, where he came off the bench in the No.22 jumper.

But despite limited game time in recent months, Rennie is confident time with the group will help with ease the transition significantly.

“Yeah, it’s limited [his game time]. It’s less than we would have liked, but still think rather than not take him, it’s better to have him in the group for the next four or five weeks.

“He’s in reasonable nick now. It’s whether he’s game-ready; that is the test. But yeah, he will definitely feature on it.”