Fehi Fineanganofo stays with All Blacks, NZR
All Blacks wing Fehi Fineanganofo has signed a deal with New Zealand Rugby which keeps him in the country until the completion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
In January, it was announced that the Hurricanes winger would move to England following the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season to play for Newcastle.
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However, an outstanding season in which he and Hurricanes team-mate Josh Moorby shared the honour as top try scorers, propelled him into the All Blacks' mix.
Fineanganofo made his Test debut in July against France.
He missed subsequent matches against Italy and Ireland due to a shoulder injury before featuring in two non-Test tour matches in South Africa.
A mutual agreement has since been reached to allow Fineanganofo to remain with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby before relocating to Newcastle after his local commitments at the end of next year.
The new deal with New Zealand Rugby means Fineanganofo will be eligible for next year's World Cup.
Newcastle agreed to the contract change and he will now play for the Red Bulls from 2027 to 2029.
"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 fulfil their ambitions," said Newcastle Red Bulls' sporting general manager Neil McIlroy.
Fineanganofo was happy to have his future sorted.
"I'm excited to be staying in New Zealand with the Hurricanes for next season. I'm proud of what we achieved last season, and I'm looking forward to helping defend the Super Rugby title while continuing to put my hand up for the All Blacks ahead of the Rugby World Cup," said the 24-year-old in a statement.
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw was delighted to have the explosive winger for another year.
"He has obviously had an amazing season in 2026 by winning Super Rugby Pacific, breaking the try-scoring record, and being selected for the All Blacks.
"It's been a hugely successful year and he can be super proud of his achievements, so we look forward to that continuing next season and seeing him in pre-season once we get back together."
Fineanganofo is a possibility to be named in the All Blacks squad for the Bledisloe Cup series.
