Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo follows Hoskins Sotutu with move to Newcastle

Tuesday, 20 January 2026

NZ Rugby chair David Kirk says the board wasn’t “seeing the trajectory” and that is why Scott Robertson has been let go two years into a four-year contract as All Blacks coach.

Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo will follow Hoskins Sotutu in exiting New Zealand for English club Newcastle.

The 23-year-old will join the Newcastle Red Bulls on a two-year contract at the end of this year, the club confirmed on Monday night (NZ time).

Fineanganofo had a breakthrough season in the 15s game last year with six tries in 12 appearances for the Hurricanes.

It was an impressive debut in Super Rugby Pacific after his switch from the All Blacks Sevens.

The Bay of Plenty winger has nevertheless opted to head overseas and join the big-spending English club, who became part of Red Bull’s sporting stable last year.

They had already confirmed the capture of Sotutu from the Blues, with the unwanted All Blacks loose forward expected to switch his international allegiances to England ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Former Crusaders loose forward Tom Christie is another Kiwi who signed and made his debut for the club last November.

Fineanganofo is poised to complete his move after his NPC commitments with Bay of Plenty end in October.

“I’m really excited for this new challenge and opportunity at Newcastle Red Bulls, but my main focus right now is Super Rugby Pacific and the NPC here in New Zealand,” he said in a statement.

“I’m super grateful to New Zealand Rugby, the All Blacks Sevens, Bay of Plenty, and the Hurricanes for the chance to achieve my dream of becoming a professional rugby player.

“I’m especially grateful for the support I’ve had over the years, getting me through injuries and back on the field. I want to end this year the right way and chase trophies in both Super Rugby Pacific and the NPC.

“After that, I can’t wait to start a new chapter with Newcastle and the brand of rugby they want to bring to the Premiership.”

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw was disappointed to lose Fineanganofo but supported his decision.

“We’ve really enjoyed Fehi's introduction to Super Rugby Pacific, and we feel there is a hugely exciting future ahead for him,” Laidlaw said in a statement.

“Obviously, he’s made his decision to go overseas to Newcastle, and we’ve been in open communication the whole way through it. I understand, respect, and support the decision he and his family have made.

“I’ve had a long-standing relationship with Fehi since he was 18, and we’ve genuinely loved having him with the Hurricanes.

“We look forward to him playing well this year and finishing well in New Zealand rugby, and then wishing him all the best for the future and in his career.”

After a bye in the opening round, the Hurricanes kick off their 2026 campaign when welcoming Moana Pasifika to Wellington on February 20.

The 2016 Super Rugby champions were beaten in last season’s quarterfinals after a 35-28 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.