Young rugby talent Tima Faingaanuku turning heads
Winger Tima Faingaanuku, shown here against Manawatu, has impressed during Tasman's pre-season campaign.
Tima Faingaanuku is a perfect example of the opportunities available to Tasman's exciting young rugby talent.
However, his rise certainly hasn't been typical.
He's the first player to make a Tasman Makos national provincial championship rugby squad in just his first year out of college, having been a star performer at fullback with the Nelson College First XV.
Last year he represented the Crusaders Knights and Tasman under-18 teams and was selected in this year's Tasman men's sevens squad for the national tournament in Rotorua. And this year he's been turning heads as part of the Nelson senior club side, scoring 10 tries in his debut premier season.
A Tasman Makos national provincial championship jersey has certainly been in his sights, although maybe another season or two down the line.
So his NPC selection has clearly come much quicker than he expected and he admitted to genuine surprise at being named in Tasman's 32-player squad. And having just turned 19, there's still plenty of untapped potential.
"It's a bit like being back at school, having only just finished school last year," said Faingaanuku of his new professional team environment.
He was involved in all three of Tasman's pre-season games and impressed the coaching staff with his maturity.
He's worked hard this season to increase his body size to just over 100kg. However, Tasman's pre-season buildup has come at some minimal cost.
"I think I've dropped 2kg in the last two days, just doing [team building] activities with the boys," he said.
It's been an exciting few weeks for the young Tasman rookie, although he wasn't feeling too overawed by his rapid promotion. In fact, with so many talented individuals around him now, he said that in many ways it was easier to simply focus on his own job.
"The people around you makes it feel easier. You've still got to work hard and for me being the baby in the team, basically I'm just trying to get as much [information] as I can off [the experienced players] - especially [first five-eighth] Marty [Banks] because he's off at the end of this season, so yeah, just getting alongside Banksy and getting some tips."
Faingaanuku's been stationed solely on the wing during Tasman's pre-season campaign although his preferred position is fullback. Still, given the circumstances, he'll take any opportunity that comes his way.
"I've still got a lot to learn. Every week's a new week and everyone's got to fight to try to get that [starting] spot."
Faingaanuku has added incentive to perform this season as he's chasing a spot in the New Zealand squad for next year's World Rugby Under-20 Championship to be held in Georgia.
For now though, it's about focusing on the job in hand and trying to earn some valuable game time. And despite a heavy pre-season loss to a Wellington XV, wins over a Counties Manukau selection and a near full-strength Manawatu side at Trafalgar Park last Friday have everyone in a positive frame of mind.
"I think everyone's on the same page and I think we're looking pretty good to be honest, everything's going well."
Tima's not the only family member on Tasman's radar. Talented younger brother, Leicester, turns 17 in October and is following a similar path as part of the Nelson College First XV.
