Charlie Faumuina is a product of the Auckland Scrum Academy in 2006 and has made giant strides as a tighthead prop.

With John Afoa and Tony Woodcock ruled out through injury in the 2009 Rebel Sport Super 14, Faumuina stepped up to the mark admirably, earning his first cap against a ferocious Sharks pack and going on to play nine games for the Blues.

He has since developed into a fine prop during his apprenticeship with Afoa and Woodcock and showed real promise in this year's Rebel Sport Super 14, producing a number of brilliant performances in his 12 appearances in 2010.

In his fourth year in the Auckland squad since making his debut in 2007, Faumuina will certainly be keen to step up as a force to be reckoned with in the scrum this year.

Club: Otahuhu