NEWCASTLE — Free-scoring All Blacks wing Fehi Fineanganofo has convinced Newcastle Red Bulls to delay his arrival on Tyneside until after the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with the club agreeing to push his two-year deal back by a season to let him chase Test selection. The 24-year-old, who scored 17 tries in 14 Super Rugby matches for the title-winning Hurricanes last season and broke the record for most tries in a single Super Rugby campaign, will now remain with the Wellington-based Hurricanes for an extra year.
"I'm really grateful to Newcastle Red Bulls for the support and understanding they've shown me," said Fineanganofo. "The opportunity to stay in New Zealand and push for selection for the Rugby World Cup means a huge amount, and I'm fully committed to joining the club after the tournament and giving everything I can to the team." Newcastle sporting general manager Neil McIlroy said: "We are fully supportive of Fehi's desire to represent his country at Rugby World Cup 2027, which marries with our own philosophy of aiming high and enabling our athletes to achieve their ambitions."
It was originally announced in January that Fineanganofo had agreed a two-year deal with Newcastle beginning at the start of the current campaign. However, his exceptional form for the Hurricanes propelled him into Test reckoning and he made his New Zealand debut against France in July. Under All Blacks selection rules, a move overseas this year would have put his emerging international career on ice and ruled him out of contention for the Rugby World Cup, which begins in October 2027. His Newcastle deal remains for two campaigns but will now cover the 2027-28 and 2028-29 seasons instead, with McIlroy adding: "Fehi's arrival in 2027, with additional international experience that will only add to his already devastating qualities as a top-class winger, is another statement of intent around where this club is going."
The compromise ends long-running uncertainty over his future. In June, New Zealand Rugby denied they were attempting to put together a deal to get Fineanganofo out of his Newcastle contract, and just a few weeks ago Red Bulls head coach Dan McFarland said he expected the winger to arrive in November and feature in the current campaign. Newcastle began the Prem season with former Ulster man Werner Kok — signed in June as doubts over Fineanganofo's move increased — and 35-year-old Christian Wade as their first-choice wings. McIlroy kept open the possibility of further recruitment, saying: "We are more than happy with the quality and depth that our existing squad possesses, but may yet choose to add to the outside back position if a player of the required standard becomes available."
Newcastle opened the league season with a 59-26 defeat away to defending champions Northampton on Friday and will host Leicester on Saturday.