Faingaanuku receives MVPaward
Leicester Faingaanuku’s in good company.
Despite Nelson College’s premature exit from this year’s UC Championship Crusaders region secondary schools rugby competition, Faingaanuku has been honoured by his peers after being awarded the Phillip McDonald Memorial Medal as this year’s MVP.
The strapping fullback now joins former Nelson College captain and current Crusaders halfback Mitchell Drummond as the second Nelson player to receive the award following Drummond’s stellar 2012 season.
Nelson College were eliminated from title contention following their 40-34 semifinal loss to defending champions Christchurch Boys’ High School, who went on to beat Timaru BHS 18-10 in Saturday’s final.
However, Faingaanuku was adamant that it had still been a successful year for the Nelson College team, which he also captained, after successfully defending the Moascar Cup for the entire season and winning this year’s Quadrangular Tournament title.
He described winning the Phillip McDonald Memorial Medal, chosen by all the teams coaches and players, as ‘‘pretty cool’’, although it wouldn’t have surprised anyone who’d witnessed Faingaanuku’s consistently powerful performances this season.
His strength and pace set him apart which, combined with his goal-kicking ability, added up to a logical MVP selection.
He admitted that losing to Christchurch BHS in the semifinals for the second straight year was ‘‘tough’’ but was more than happy with Nelson College’s overall efforts throughout this season.
‘‘At the start, we weren’t really expected to defend the Moascar Cup for the season but we came out the other side and managed to hold on to that,’’ he said.
‘‘We also came away with a Quad win but fell short in the UC [Championship] comp, but it’s been a good season for myself and the boys.
‘‘The main goal this year was to leave the jersey in a better place and after that semifinal, I didn’t really have any regrets or any disappointment because I knew I did my best and put the effort in for the team and I knew the team did their best.
‘‘That’s all you could ever ask for, but one team’s got to come out with a win and the other team’s got to come out with a loss and that day, we were the ones who lost,’’ he said.
‘‘But I’m happy with how the season’s gone.’’
He’s now focusing on playing for the Tasman under-18 representative side with the longer-term goal of potential re-selection in the New Zealand Schools team.
Last year Faingaanuku was originally selected in the New Zealand Barbarians Schools team but suddenly found himself on an even brighter stage following his injuryenforced elevation into the top New Zealand Schools side.
He’s also hoping for one last outing in the Nelson College strip at the annual Condor Sevens tournament later this season, although that’s dependent on Nelson College winning the Tasman secondary schools sevens title.
‘‘Hopefully I’ll be looking to go up to Condors and play a bit of sevens in the [Nelson] College colours one last time.’’
It’s his final year at college, so next season he’s also looking forward to the prospect of joining older brother and Tasman Makos winger Tima in the Nelson senior club team’s backline.