Fakatava has signed a two-year deal to stay at the Highlanders until 2023, remaining loyal to the club which first gave him his start at this level.
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark confirmed yesterday Fakatava has signed to stay with the Highlanders for another two years and will play for the club in 2022-23.
He was being pursued by other teams - the Hurricanes were firm admirers - but has decided to stay in the south.
Fakatava (21) comes from Tonga and arrived in NZ aged 16 to play for Hastings Boys’ High School First XV.
He was picked for the Highlanders at the end of his first year out of school.
Clark confirmed the talented playmaker was comfortable staying in Dunedin despite being chased by other franchises.
"Folau certainly had other offers to consider but we are delighted he has chosen to stay with us. We are working hard to retain a nucleus of players for the next few years and we certainly see Folau as key to our future aspirations," Clark said.
Fakatava played for Hawke’s Bay in 2018, straight out of high school, where he had helped his team to two national top four finals, winning the top school honour in 2017.
He signed for the Highlanders in 2019 and has made seven appearances after making his debut against the Melbourne Rebels.
In 2020, after an outstanding year with Hawke’s Bay that included winning the Championship title, he was awarded the Duane Monkley Medal for the Mitre 10 Cup player of the year.
He turned out for the Moana Pasifika team against the Maori All Blacks in December last year.
Highlanders coach Tony Brown was excited at the prospect of what Fakatava could deliver over the next few seasons.
“He is a special talent no doubt, he has certainly grown as a man and a player over the last few seasons and his game is starting to come together nicely. He is a real threat to any defence and was outstanding for Hawke’s Bay last season," Brown said.
"We look forward to him taking his game to new heights over the next few years and I would love to see both Aaron and Folau in the All Blacks - he is certainly capable.”
Smith and Fakatava have already shared the starting duties in 2021 and he should get plenty more opportunities which he is excited about.
Fakatava admitted there were other options but in the end wanted to stay in Dunedin
“I have really enjoyed my time here and although there were other options, I really wanted to pay back the club that gave me my start. I have had the best halfback in the world as my coach and I feel very lucky to have had the chance to learn so much down here," he said.
"I feel like a southern man now.”
Getting Fakatava is a real plus for the side, but no matter how good a halfback is, it is the men in front of him which ultimately decide his fate. After the Highlanders were out-muscled last weekend against the Blues the side needs some heavy artillery up front to match the big teams.
Fakatava has all the skills in the world, but in today’s power-based games those skills can only be fully exposed when he gets front-foot ball.
A tight forward or two of high class is an obvious real need for the franchise.
