Fainga’anuku Shines as Tasman Overpower Manawatu in NPC Rugby Clash

In a commanding performance at Nelson, Tasman secured a resounding 49-17 victory over Manawatu in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) rugby match on August 9, 2025. The standout of the game was Leicester Fainga’anuku, whose two tries and electrifying play helped set the tone for Tasman’s dominant display.

Making his return to the field after last playing in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Fainga’anuku wasted no time in asserting his influence. His first try came with a simple pick-and-go, exploiting a gap in the Manawatu defense. His second try, however, was a masterclass in attacking rugby — he fielded a kick that bounced awkwardly away from the Manawatu defense and then weaved through defenders with a combination of pace and precision to cross the line, extending Tasman’s lead to 28-0 at halftime.

The Mako, as Tasman is affectionately known, were in fine form throughout the match, dominating possession and territory from the outset. New Zealand Under-20s hooker Eli Oudenryn opened the scoring with a powerful try shortly after the kick-off, and Lopeti Faifua soon doubled the lead, capitalizing on a disorganized Manawatu defense.

Despite a valiant effort from Manawatu, who managed to score three tries in the second half, Tasman’s depth and experience proved too much. Tone Ng Shiu, Fletcher Anderson, and William Havili added further points, although the latter suffered an injury that saw him replaced by Kyren Tamouefolau, a testament to the team’s strong bench strength.

The result serves as a stark contrast to Manawatu’s impressive win over North Harbour the previous weekend, as they now face a challenging journey to Invercargill to take on winless Southland. Meanwhile, Tasman will continue their upward trajectory, heading to Whangarei to face Northland.

As the season progresses, the performance of players like Fainga’anuku, who is currently under contract with French club Toulon, will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. His ability to impact games at the highest level is a clear indication of the potential Tasman holds in the coming months.

This match not only highlights the rising star of Fainga’anuku but also showcases the growing competitiveness within the NPC, where every game is a chance for teams to climb the ladder and make their mark on the season.