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Fainu, who is able to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, has started a transition into the forwards, setting his sights on being a ball-playing lock.
“I don’t mind what position I play. I love being here, and I’ll always say that because it’s true. Benji’s done a lot for me, so I’m giving anything, and putting everything together just to give back to him,” Fainu said.
Part of Fainu’s thinking around a positional change is the success he can have in the middle of the field as a link man, something which Walker has become an expert at during the back end of his career.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...e/news-story/ef3f7018540e1e642c7d73a396b3d225
Full story ...
Tyson Jackson
April 6, 2026 - 7:45AM
He was brought to the club to be the long-term starting No.7, but Latu Fainu is willing to give up the dream of playing halfback to stay at the Wests Tigers for the rest of his career.
Since joining the club from Manly in 2024, Fainu has been hindered by injuries, falling behind the likes of Jarome Luai, Adam Doueihi, Aidan Sezer and Lachlan Galvin in the halves pecking order, and missing a mountain of game time.
The 20-year-old Fainu will again come off the bench for the Tigers against Parramatta in the Easter Monday clash at CommBank Stadium after coach Benji Marshall stuck with his winning halves combination of Jock Madden and Doueihi from the win over Warriors in Round 4.
Fainu, who made his return from an off-season shoulder reconstruction against the Warriors in Auckland, has made it clear it’s more important for him to stay at the club than it is to play halfback, even if it means continuing as a utility off the bench or transitioning to lock.
Wests Tigers youngster Latu Fainu is content not being in the No.7, if it means remaining at the club. Picture: Tigers Digital
Latu Fainu getting ready to face Parramatta on Easter Monday. Picture: Tigers Digital
“I don’t mind what position I play. I love being here, and I’ll always say that because it’s true. Benji’s done a lot for me, so I’m giving anything, and putting everything together just to give back to him,” Fainu said.
He credits Marshall for not just helping him on the field but off it too, revealing he thought about giving the game away due to injury setbacks.
Since debuting for the Tigers in 2024, Fainu has had ongoing hamstring issues, broken thumbs and various shoulder problems.
Latu Fainu owes a lot to Benji Marshall. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
It was the guidance of Marshall which gave Fainu the confidence to continue playing.
“There were times I was thinking like that, and the more I thought like that, the more I didn’t want to come and play,” Fainu said.
“I’m lucky enough I have Benji by my side, talking with me throughout the whole season making sure I’m ready and doing extras.”
Fainu, who is able to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, has started a transition into the forwards, setting his sights on being a ball-playing lock.
Making his return against the Warriors in the middle of the field, Fainu realised he needs to put on some size to fit into the position.
But, Fainu knows there is a fine line between weight gain and getting too heavy.
Latu Fainu is looking ot bulk up to handle the lock role. Picture: NRL Photos
“I want to gain the weight so I can handle the lock position,” Fainu said.
“I actually gained a lot of kilos (while injured), I was 96 first day of pre-season, I was too heavy.
Sitting at 89kg, Fainu wants to shoot towards the 92 mark as he settles back into the Tigers side.
Fainu is looking forward to Monday’s clash with Parramatta and coming up against a player he wants to model his game around in Eels lock Dylan Walker.
Part of Fainu’s thinking around a positional change is the success he can have in the middle of the field as a link man, something which Walker has become an expert at during the back end of his career.
“Their middles are really agile, especially with Dylan in the middle,” Fainu said.
“It’s going to be actually really hard for us to compete against, but for us it’s about what we are trying to focus on and accomplish.
“I’m not too worried about myself because I know the boys will be backing me and what I can do.”
Fainu, who is able to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, has started a transition into the forwards, setting his sights on being a ball-playing lock.
“I don’t mind what position I play. I love being here, and I’ll always say that because it’s true. Benji’s done a lot for me, so I’m giving anything, and putting everything together just to give back to him,” Fainu said.
Part of Fainu’s thinking around a positional change is the success he can have in the middle of the field as a link man, something which Walker has become an expert at during the back end of his career.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...e/news-story/ef3f7018540e1e642c7d73a396b3d225
Full story ...
Latu Fainu makes ultimate sacrifice to secure long-term Wests Tigers future
Latu Fainu was brought to the Tigers to solve their halfback woes, but the young star is willing to play a surprise new position if it means remaining at the club he calls home.Tyson Jackson
April 6, 2026 - 7:45AM
He was brought to the club to be the long-term starting No.7, but Latu Fainu is willing to give up the dream of playing halfback to stay at the Wests Tigers for the rest of his career.
Since joining the club from Manly in 2024, Fainu has been hindered by injuries, falling behind the likes of Jarome Luai, Adam Doueihi, Aidan Sezer and Lachlan Galvin in the halves pecking order, and missing a mountain of game time.
The 20-year-old Fainu will again come off the bench for the Tigers against Parramatta in the Easter Monday clash at CommBank Stadium after coach Benji Marshall stuck with his winning halves combination of Jock Madden and Doueihi from the win over Warriors in Round 4.
Fainu, who made his return from an off-season shoulder reconstruction against the Warriors in Auckland, has made it clear it’s more important for him to stay at the club than it is to play halfback, even if it means continuing as a utility off the bench or transitioning to lock.
Wests Tigers youngster Latu Fainu is content not being in the No.7, if it means remaining at the club. Picture: Tigers Digital
Latu Fainu getting ready to face Parramatta on Easter Monday. Picture: Tigers Digital
“I don’t mind what position I play. I love being here, and I’ll always say that because it’s true. Benji’s done a lot for me, so I’m giving anything, and putting everything together just to give back to him,” Fainu said.
He credits Marshall for not just helping him on the field but off it too, revealing he thought about giving the game away due to injury setbacks.
Since debuting for the Tigers in 2024, Fainu has had ongoing hamstring issues, broken thumbs and various shoulder problems.
Latu Fainu owes a lot to Benji Marshall. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
It was the guidance of Marshall which gave Fainu the confidence to continue playing.
“There were times I was thinking like that, and the more I thought like that, the more I didn’t want to come and play,” Fainu said.
“I’m lucky enough I have Benji by my side, talking with me throughout the whole season making sure I’m ready and doing extras.”
Fainu, who is able to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, has started a transition into the forwards, setting his sights on being a ball-playing lock.
Making his return against the Warriors in the middle of the field, Fainu realised he needs to put on some size to fit into the position.
But, Fainu knows there is a fine line between weight gain and getting too heavy.
Latu Fainu is looking ot bulk up to handle the lock role. Picture: NRL Photos
“I want to gain the weight so I can handle the lock position,” Fainu said.
“I actually gained a lot of kilos (while injured), I was 96 first day of pre-season, I was too heavy.
Sitting at 89kg, Fainu wants to shoot towards the 92 mark as he settles back into the Tigers side.
Fainu is looking forward to Monday’s clash with Parramatta and coming up against a player he wants to model his game around in Eels lock Dylan Walker.
Part of Fainu’s thinking around a positional change is the success he can have in the middle of the field as a link man, something which Walker has become an expert at during the back end of his career.
“Their middles are really agile, especially with Dylan in the middle,” Fainu said.
“It’s going to be actually really hard for us to compete against, but for us it’s about what we are trying to focus on and accomplish.
“I’m not too worried about myself because I know the boys will be backing me and what I can do.”
