The 23-year-old already has an emotional connection to Wales that began when he was born during the 1999 World cup.
His father, Malakai Ta’ufo’ou Fainga’anuku, played prop for Tonga during the tournament and Leicester was born the day after Tonga beat Italy 28-25 at Welford Road. He won the first of his 12 caps in the same Tongan pack as Kuli Faletau, father of Wales No 8 Taulupe Faletau, and played at the 1999 World Cup alongside Fe’ao Vunipola, father of England stars Mako and Billy.
Born the day after that famous win, Malakai named his son after the city in honour of the game. Wales was used as one of his middle names as the host nation and Twickenham was added as in was the venue for the Tongans next game against England.
Hence the New Zealand wing was christened with the magnificent name of Leicester Ofa Ki Wales Twickenham Fainga’anuku.
Having made his debut for the All Blacks against Ireland in the summer, he is now heading ‘North’ for the four match Autumn Nations Series tour, where he will get the chance to visit at least two of the places in his name – Wales and Twickenham.
There are no real surprises in the 35-man All Blacks squad selected for their four-match end of season tour by head coach Ian Foster. He has given a vote of confidence to the group that steadied the ship after a tricky summer and guided the All Blacks to another Rugby Championship title.
Experienced centre Anton Lienert-Brown is the only player not to have played for the All Blacks this year. Foster decided not to include any uncapped players, believing the time for building depth ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup is over.
Having lost the three-match series to Ireland on home soil, Foster’s side then suffered a heavy defeat to the world champion Springboks in Mbombela at the start of their Rugby Championship campaign. They bounced back from that defeat to win the second game against South Africa, but then suffered a maiden loss on home soil to Argentina.
“We’ve really felt that that group has taken some lessons and really grown and finished really strong in that Rugby Championship. We believe they deserve an opportunity to keep developing those combinations,” said Foster.
Sam Cane will captain the All Blacks
Foster and his fellow selectors – assistant coaches Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan – welcomed the return from a shoulder injury of 56-Test veteran Lienert-Brown, who will fill a void left by long-term injuries to midfield backs Jack Goodhue and Quinn Tupaea.
“Anton’s very experienced, a seasoned player for us, played a lot of Test matches and we’ve got a lot of faith in him,” added Foster.
The All Blacks open their tour against Japan in Tokyo on October 29 before Tests on successive weekends against Wales, Scotland and England.
New Zealand Tour Party
Backs: Aaron Smith, Finlay Christie, Folau Fakatava, Richie Mo’unga, Beauden Barrett, Stephen Perofeta, David Havili, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Braydon Ennor, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Leicester Fainga’anuku
Forwards: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane (captain), Ardie Savea, Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Hoskins Sotutu
