'Every game he almost has a highlights reel': How Malakai Fekitoa's comeback is going after 16-week layoff
Ex-All Blacks midfielder Malakai Fekitoa has been hailed for his quick return to form at Wasps following the 16-week layoff with the groin injury that cost him a 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership final appearance. The New Zealander, who also decided to undergo shoulder surgery while sidelined with the groin issue sustained when scoring against Bristol in the league semi-final, made his comeback in the January 31 Premiership loss to Harlequins.
He also started in the follow-up home defeat to Northampton before being a major reason why last Sunday Wasps reversed their recent run with a win at Worcester.
The 28-year-old, who arrived at Wasps last season via Toulon after calling time on his 24-cap All Blacks career, was thrust straight back into the mix by Lee Blackett due to Paolo Odogwu getting called up to the England Six Nations squad.
The Wasps coach has been thrilled with what he has seen in recent weeks while he has also commended Fekitoa for the mentoring role he adopted during his injury layoff to help younger players at the Premiership club.
“In an ideal world we probably would put him on the bench, just gave him a little bit of time and gradually brought him back, but with Paolo going with England he has come straight back in and I was delighted with him last weekend.
You can see how much that try meant to @tomwillis12
On a tough weekend for the Willis Family, the forward helped seal an important win for @WaspsRugby with this excellent try ?#GallagherPrem highlights and full match replay ?? https://t.co/Ux2FQlx6d2 pic.twitter.com/SFPuX2p8mN
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) February 15, 2021
“Sometimes you just need those key figures in your team, a talisman I would probably say, someone to go to for us. Malakai gives us that and it’s not just one side of the ball, it’s both sides. Look at the involvements in two tries last week. Massive involvements in them and currently on the other side of the ball, every game he almost has a highlights reel so defensively he is putting in some great shots.
“We are really pleased with how Malakai is doing but one thing he probably doesn’t get enough credit for is what he does off the field. He is someone within the set-up that constantly tries to pick things up.
“It’s rare you see this. Joe Launchbury at the moment is working with a few of the younger guys and when Malakai was injured he put a lot of time in with Paolo, speaking a lot with Sam Spink, the young 13s within the group. Malakai does a lot of stuff like that behind the scenes. He is brilliant for the younger players.”
"The last thing we want is him not playing"#SixNations #PremRugbyhttps://t.co/bboWkq81Gx
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 18, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Fellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
5 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
1 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
5 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
5 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to commentsLove it when we overlap! Promise it was not forethought.
19 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
3 Go to commentsIf stormers aren’t available. Based on form and likely availability at the time of the wales Test, you’d think Masuku would be a no-brainer to start. But starting Jordan also makes sense having Masuku come off the bench to close out the game.
2 Go to comments