NZ Rugby denies buying out Fineanganofo’s Newcastle contract

June 1, 2026 No Comments

NZ Rugby denies buying out Fineanganofo contractImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Fineanganofo was part of the New Zealand Sevens team that finished fifth at the Paris 2024 OlympicsByMike Henson

BBC Sport rugby union news reporter

22 minutes ago

New Zealand Rugby has denied any involvement in a declared U-turn by Fehi Fineanganofo over a move to England to join Newcastle Red Bulls for next season.

The prolific wing, who has equalled the single-season Super Rugby record by scoring 16 tries for the Hurricanes this term, was declared as one of Newcastle’s incoming signings in January.

Fineanganofo’s form since has put him firmly on the radar of New Zealand coach Dave Rennie, but a move aboard would make the 23-year-old ineligible for the All Blacks.

A report in New Zealand last week, external claimed that the country’s rugby authorities had found a solution to keep Fineanganofo down under, leaving Newcastle officials “very, very upset”.

In 2015, New Zealand Rugby reached an agreement with Clermont Auvergne to tear up a contract that would have taken wing Waisake Naholo to France and out of Test contention.

However, the union insists there will not be a repeat in Fineanganofo’s case. It says its stance is unchanged since an interview given by chief executive Steve Lancaster a fortnight ago.

“We don’t really do that. These are player choices,” Lancaster stated, external of the possibility of buying Fineanganofo out his Red Bulls 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.

“If he has a change of heart, that’s absolutely up to him.

“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.”

World Rugby rules prohibit a union inducing a player to break their club contract, just as clubs are banned from offering players extra money to end their international careers.

However, uncapped Fineanganofo, who has spoken of his desire to earn enough money so his parents can retire, will be aware that representing the All Blacks would boost his pay.

The New Zealand Herald estimates, external that, even with international recognition, his two-year Red Bulls contract – at a declared £200,000 a year – would still trump what he would earn by staying at home.

But the rise in profile from playing Test matches, particularly with the Rugby World Cup taking place in Australia in 2027, could lead to a lucrative contract later in his career.

Fineanganofo’s agent Bruce Sharrock, who was also Naholo’s agent when his deal with Clermont was annulled, insists it is up to New Zealand Rugby to negotiate with Newcastle if it wants to make his client available to Rennie.

“NZ Rugby had the opportunity to contract Fehi,” he told the Rugby Direct podcast. , external

“What they put on the table was nowhere near the match of what it was. His performance has then ramped up and they have stated they now want to hold him.

“That’s fine. Go and have a commercial conversation with the person with the contract and see if you can do a deal.”

Newcastle Red Bulls declined to comment.