Rugby: Faumuina passes on big bucks but targets top berth

Charlie Faumuina wants to be the No1 prop. Photo / Getty Images

Charlie Faumuina still has ambitions to be the top tighthead prop in the country.

His re-signing by the Blues and New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2017 was key to that aim, as was a strong desire to be part of the 2017 inbound tour by the Lions, the first to these shores since 2005.

Faumuina's decision may have been the catalyst for the departure of Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna, a player of dual eligibility who is said to be heading post-RWC for Paris, along with Dan Carter, to the rich Racing-Metro club. That same club apparently made a big play for Faumuina.

"I want to be the No1 prop," said the 28-year-old Faumuina, who has played 27 tests and 61 times for the Blues.

"Franksy's been there a long time and I respect him, but I'll just keep pushing. A lot of money was thrown around, but looking at the bigger picture, I'm from here and my family's here. There's a big team coming here as well in 2017."

Faumuina's form and fitness had dropped off by mid-2014, but a few short, sharp words by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen sparked a resurgence by the Auckland bookend, and he scored a critical try in the November test against England as well as upping the ante at scrumtime.

"I learned a lot from last year. You can't take things for granted. [I learned] that you can have a break, just not too much of a break," said Faumuina.

All Blacks selector Grant Fox is thrilled that Faumuina is staying put.

"He's a pretty important cog in our wheel ... it's now a six-man game in the front-row, not just 3-4 over 80 minutes. Charlie, after a hiccup, finished the year really well. He played some superb rugby and is now in good nick," said Fox. Campbell Burnes