Leicester Fainga’anuku is a professional New Zealand rugby player who plays as a wing and occasionally as a centre for the All Blacks. At the club level, Leicester plays for Tasman and is considered one of their top players.
Outside of rugby, Leicester is a father and a man in love who enjoys spending time with his family. He also lives a lavish lifestyle and has a large following across various social media platforms, including Instagram.
CHECK OUT HIS PROFILE
Full name: Leicester Ofa Ki Wales Twickenham Faingaʻanuku
Date of birth: 11 October 1999
Age: 26
Place of birth: Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Father: Ta’u Malakai Fainga’anuku
Wife: Hannah
Children: Zaya Faingaʻanuku
Height: 1.88 m
Weight: 109 kg
WHERE DID LEICESTER GREW UP FROM? HIS EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY
Coming from a rugby family, Leicester’s father, Tau Malakai, was a professional rugby player who played for the Tonga national team. Tau named Leicester after Tonga’s famous win over Italy in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
Even though Leicester’s family is famous and well-known in rugby, it seemed the family had decided against publicising their lovers.
Tau’s wife, who happens to be Leicester’s mother, is not yet publicly revealed. However, his brother, Tima Fainga’anuku, is also a successful rugby player, having earned several caps for the Tonga national team.
Born in Tonga, Leicester’s family moved to South New Zealand when Tau took a job there. It was in South New Zealand that Leicester grew up. Growing up, he attended Nelson College, the oldest state secondary school in the country.
While at Nelson, Leicester showcased his top rugby talent and went on to become the first-team captain. Since then, Leicester has been among the most promising youngsters in New Zealand.
MEET LEICESTER’S WIFE AND CHILDREN
The talented winger is not yet married but engaged to his long-time fiancée, but has not yet revealed any details about her.
In short, Leicester is one of the most private people, especially in his personal life, which is similar to his father’s. However, on several memorable occasions, Leicester posts pictures with his wife and son.
Upon their engagement, he penned a heartfelt letter to his fiancée, expressing his love. “Forever in love with you 💍🤍. You deserve every beat of my heart, every piece of my soul in this life and the next,” he said, celebrating love.
Leicester Faingaʻanuku and his wife and baby. Image via Instagram @leicester_f
As for his son, Zaya, he loves to share more about him, as he did when he was born in 2024.
“Dear Zaya, Welcome my son. This moment is beyond anything. Daddy’s journey in life to becoming a man was the first step, and it hasn’t always been easy. Throughout daddy’s life, he’s been truly grateful to have experienced both the flowers blossoming on the surface and the dead roots below. Still, through it all, I’m blessed with the path I’ve walked, which has provided me the tools and knowledge to navigate this world to protect you, but most importantly, to prepare me for this journey of becoming your father. Your mother is doing well; she is healthy and happy. This mother of yours has been the biggest blessing in my life, and she will be yours also, my son. We are so blessed to have you in our world and can’t wait to give you the fruits of our labour. A new chapter awaits us, young king. Ofa atu. Dad,” he said.
CAREER
Besides his lavish lifestyle, which sets him apart from most athletes, Leicester Faingaʻanuku has amassed a career most rugby players could only dream of.
SENIOR CAREER
Coming in from High School at Nelson College, Leicester went straight and signed for Tasman. At Tasman, he became one of their finest players before he left in 2022.
At Tasman, he won Tasman’s first ever Mitre 10 Cup in 2019, making history in one of the most remembered squads. Adding to his 2019 history-making, he went on to win the Mitre 10 Cup for the second time in 2020, before he signed for Toulon.
During his time at Tasman, he was also playing for the Crusaders, where he made his debut in 2019. That year, the Crusaders went on to win the Super Rugby title despite playing once.
In the years that followed, he established a significant reputation as one of the team’s most important players. He later left the club in 2023, finishing the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season as the competition’s top try scorer with 13 tries.
Outside New Zealand, Leicester played for Toulon from 2023 to 2025 but failed to cement his position as a key player. There, he made 39 appearances and scored 80 points before signing for his boyhood club, Tusman.
INTERNATIONAL RUGBY
Leicester Faingaʻanuku made his All Blacks debut in 2018 following a series of top performances at club level.
He continued to perform well and earned a place in the 2023 World Rugby squad in France.
Besides the All Blacks, Leicester also represented other New Zealand sides, such as Moana Pasifika and the South Island. He stands tall at 1.88m, making him a decent athlete.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
Despite being one of the fastest players in the All Blacks squad, Leicester weighs 109 kg. He also stands tall at 1.88m, making him a decent athlete.