"Lateral Thinking": Fainga'anuku’s Forward Switch Sparks Debate for Australian Rugby

Analysis of Super Round in Christchurch: Leicester Fainga'anuku shines in a surprise forward switch, the Brumbies' finals hopes waver, and the Reds suffer a heartbreaking extra-time loss.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 4:08 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Fainga'anuku Experiment

In a move that surprised many, the Crusaders started Leicester Fainga'anuku a 12-Test All Black typically found on the wing or in the centers at openside flanker against the NSW Waratahs. The gamble paid off during Friday night's 35-20 victory in front of a sellout crowd. While "hybrid" players like South Africa's André Esterhuizen have made similar shifts, the success of the experiment has led Australian pundits to suggest Wallabies winger Filipo Daugunu could fill a similar role, potentially adding much-needed versatility to the national side.

Reds Heartbreak in Extra Time

The Queensland Reds suffered a gut-wrenching 36-33 loss to the Blues on Saturday night, decided by a "super-point" in extra time. Captain Fraser McReight was penalized for an offside entry at a ruck, allowing Beauden Barrett to slot the winning goal. While the penalty was the decisive moment, the Reds were forced into a chase after falling behind 21-7 and 33-21 earlier in the match. Despite the error, analysts defended McReight’s aggressive "jackal" style, noting that such high-risk gambling is central to the value of an elite openside flanker.

Brumbies Facing a Finals "Hole"

The ACT Brumbies' season has hit a significant slump following a 45-12 thrashing at the hands of the Hurricanes during Super Round. After 11 rounds, the Brumbies sit fifth with a 5-5 record, but their path to the playoffs looks increasingly difficult: