0 - 54

7 - 47

42 - 0

29 - 38

55 - 21

33 - 28

31 - 44

56 - 17

27 - 29

Today

08:00

Today

10:00

Today

16:30

Today

19:05

Today

22:05

Tomorrow

06:00

Super Rugby Pacific

'We don't do that': NZR rule out buying out Fehi Fineanganofo's contract

Ben Smith

Published: 16 May 2026 16:28 PDT
Updated: 16 May 2026 16:29 PDT

Fehi Fineanganofo of the Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a try during the round 11 Super Rugby match between Hurricanes and ACT Brumbies at One NZ Stadium, on April 25, 2026, in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Hurricanes flyer and form wing Fehi Fineanganofo equalled the all-time season try scoring record in Super Rugby with his 16th against the Blues at Eden Park, but still looks set to depart after NZR ruled out making a move.

The Auckland-raised star had a fitting return home, adding some spice to the record-equalling try with a flip after getting a lucky bounce from Braydon Iose’s chip kick. With two rounds to go, Fineanganofo may go clear of former Hurricane Ben Lam and Brumbies great Joe Roff and set a new mark.

The calls to keep Fineanganofo in New Zealand have been frequent, but with the 23-year-old set to triple his current salary by joining the Newcastle Red Bulls after the season, there is nothing that NZR will do.

Is Josh Moorby as All Blacks bolter? | RP

The Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew analyses whether Hurricanes fullback come wing Josh Moorby is in line for a call-up. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV now.

Watch now

Is Josh Moorby as All Blacks bolter? | RP

The Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew analyses whether Hurricanes fullback come wing Josh Moorby is in line for a call-up. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV now.

Watch now

Incoming CEO Stuart Lancaster confirmed as much with rugby journalist Liam Napier and Elliot Smith on Newstalk ZB’s Rugby Direct podcast that they aren’t prepared to negotiate a release fee with Newcastle.

“We don’t really do that. These are player choices,” Lancaster said of potentially buying out the contract.

“There’s nothing stopping Fehi from doing that, but it’s not a space we get into, looking to buy players out of contracts. Things have changed a lot for him since the end of last year. He’s taken every opportunity he’s been given so good on him.

“He’s made a decision. If he has a change of heart, that’s absolutely up to him. Dave Rennie said the same thing yesterday.

“The ball is in his court around that. But even if he does honour his contract to Newcastle, he’s still young. He might well be back.”

Napier estimates that should Fineanganofo become an All Black and earn an NZR top-up contract, his salary still wouldn’t match the Red Bulls deal, but his market value could increase even more after wearing the black jersey.

The deal with Newcastle is for two-years, which means he could return to New Zealand at 25-years-old for another crack at the All Blacks.

With that in mind and Fineanganofo still eligible for the All Blacks this year, Rennie could make the move to cap him now with a return in mind.

Comments

22 Comments

SB 89 days ago

'We don't do that'

That’s NZR talking about making smart financial decisions.

GL 89 days ago

NZR is still living in the 1960s…wake TF up

SC 89 days ago

The All Blacks are still loaded with wings: Clarke, Fainga’anuka, Fihaki, Carter, Narawa, Nareki, JRK, Naholo, and Moorby.

All of them would have double digit try numbers if they played at the end of the Hurricanes backline.

RugCs 90 days ago

He is leaving because NZR pay a pittance to players who are not regular test players. Will they triple his salary to match what EPCR clubs are paying even if he is selected for test matches? I doubt it.

JW 90 days ago

The calls to keep Fineanganofo in New Zealand have been frequent, but with the 23-year-old set to triple his current salary by joining the Newcastle Red Bulls after the season, there is nothing that NZR will do.

You mean apart from offering him 3x as much?

JK 90 days ago

A few years ago ETENE NANAI-SETURO was contracted to NRL.

What about him?

Blackmania 90 days ago

The NZR’s response is not surprising. They have never paid to buy out contracts.

It’s up to the player to decide whether there is any possibility of getting out of his contract… assuming he even wants to.

If he leaves, how long could Rennie still select him for? The South Africa tour, or the entire season?

The All Blacks need more X-factor on the wings. Tangitau’s serious injury is a major blow. But with Naholo returning, Taumoefolau becoming eligible in the future, and Fineanganofo available for selection this year, there are still options available.

smartalec 89 days ago

While I don’t think they have ever bought out a players contract, they have done it for coaches. NZR bought out Brad Mooars contract with Scarlets in 2019. So there is a little bit of a precendent for that.

JW 90 days ago

I don’t know, you’d have to ask Nickers.

NZR’s only requirement (that they’ve reiterated in this discussion), is that the player plays the ‘preceding competition’, so you would think the whole year.

All SR contracts require players to be available for International duty, so I don’t technically think NZR has him on the books at all, given he’s not got an AB retainer. Whether the Canes stop the fortnightly checks early because RB start paying him, I wouldn’t think would matter (NZR would obviously start paying him squad and match fees).

PickOllieMathisOrKeepLosing,Rob. 90 days ago

I think they should pick him, use him while we can, then say cheerio.

With wings, I reckon just pick the dudes carving up, and that’s Fehi at the moment.

It will add more pressure on NZR to change their eligibility rules, too.

Might not force them to but it will be another straw added to NZRs back.

SC 89 days ago

Fehi should be picked for the Nations Cup series and then released from the squad. Cap him as a reward for his excellence and capture his eligibility for the future.with the Lions series in mind in 2029.

But that is forward thinking which has not been done since 2015.

JW 90 days ago

If he does really well.

Mzilikazi 90 days ago

“I think they should pick him, use him while we can, then say cheerio.” Why say cheerio, POM. Easy decision, and sensible one is pick him from o’seas.

JB 90 days ago

Good ol useless NZRFU. One stupid decision after another.

SouthernRuckby 90 days ago

Surely you jest. He’s not even the form Wing in the competition, Tangitau was.

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!