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

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.

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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.