TJ Faiane has come a long way after two dark years.

The 21-year-old has emerged from bad knee injuries to assume the Auckland captaincy just one game after qualifying for his blazer. Faiane steps into the big shoes of Patrick Tuipulotu, who is on All Blacks duty.

He only got the call last Sunday from head coach Nick White.

“No, it was a bit of a surprise. Nick left a message for me to call him on Sunday, so I rang back after the Parker-Fury fight,” says Faiane, who says he is one who likes to lead by his actions, though he is also a good talker.

He was already proud as punch after receiving his blazer (after the Otago game) three years after his Auckland debut. Seven games for the province in 2014, as an 18-year-old, fresh out of St Kentigern College, hinted at his promise. He was already in the sights of Auckland’s talent ID programme, having scored tries in the 2012 and 2013 Top 4 national schools final. The first, in 2012 against Otago BHS, was a sensational solo effort.

“I sort of lost track of how many games I had for Auckland. I was surprised it had come up, but I have waited awhile now, four years. I always wanted to reach that milestone, because I saw all the other boys get up and get their blazer before me. I was stoked to finally get it.”

Then came two years of injury, two knee operations. He was a regular, smiling presence in the Eden Park press box, often polishing off the remainder of the media food. But we are happy he is now back on the field.

“You don’t understand how hard it is until you go through it. The physical side of it was easy. All I had to do was gym and rehab, but mentally it takes a toll on you. (Blues mental skills coach) Kylie Wilson was good in helping me get back,” says Faiane.

“Probably the scariest part for me was getting back into contact, getting over that mental barrier. I went through a dark patch and I got that same sensation as when I did my knee. But Kylie gave me some good strategies in helping me understand my brain a bit more.”

He saw good game time with the Blues in 2017 and has now appeared in all seven games for Auckland this season. His direct running has been complemented with the softer touches, such as his nice flick pass to Vince Aso for one of the wing’s three tries against Taranaki.

“I’m really stoked. God has blessed me with my health and now I’m just looking to finish the season uninjured,” says Faiane.

He and George Moala have featured a few times in the Auckland midfield in 2017.

“Even when I was coming through my first year with Mitre 10 Cup, George was always helping me out. He’s still helping me with my game and he’s not afraid to tell me what I need to work on. I think we have that mutual respect.”

Then there was a proud moment for the Faiane family, when TJ and Wiseguy ran out, in the Nos 12 and 10 jerseys respectively, in the Waikato match last month. They had also briefly appeared together for Pakuranga this season.

“It was a big week for my family. Mum and Dad were stoked when we told them. I always wanted to play with my little brother, or against him. Mum prefers me to play with him,” quips the older Faiane.

He knows the stakes are high for Saturday’s crossover Mitre 10 Cup clash with the Bay of Plenty Steamers. Not only is the John Drake Memorial Boot up for grabs, but Auckland is seeking a strong finish to an inconsistent season.

“I think we are overplaying a bit from the start. The focus for this week is to build our game and build pressure, so we are not feeling the pressure to score from every ruck. That’s the mindset,” says Faiane.

He may be one of the youngest captains in the 134-year history of the union, but he seems to have a wise head on those shoulders. - Campbell Burnes

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