Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo chooses overseas contract over international dream

Friday, 27 February 2026

The Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew look at whether any team in Super Rugby can stand up to Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor and Bailyn Sullivan.

Hurricanes supporters should enjoy watching Fehi Fineanganofo while they can.

The 23-year-old power winger was one of the star performers in the team’s emphatic 52-10 victory against Moana Pasifika last Friday, scoring two first-half tries to kick off the Hurricanes’ campaign with a bonus-point win.

He should have scored a hat-trick but unselfishly passed the ball to Josh Moorby over the try line – revealing this week that Moorby was closer to the posts, which would make for an easier conversion for their goal-kicker.

Instead, it was Moorby who went on to score three tries.

“I’ve asked for a coffee [in return],” Fineanganofo laughed.

“I was actually pretty proud of it [my performance]. I didn’t realise how well I did until after the review but there’s still little stuff I can work on, which is good for the rest of the season.”

Based on last Friday’s evidence, the former sevens international looks primed for a breakout Super Rugby Pacific season in his second year with the Hurricanes after switching to 15s following the Paris Olympics, particularly with All Blacks midfielders Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor inside him.

“To get the ball all the time – it’s like Christmas for me,” Fineanganofo said.

However, you can rule him out of the All Blacks conversation right now.

Fineanganofo has already confirmed he will be leaving New Zealand at the end of the season to sign with ambitious English club Newcastle Red Bulls, following other Kiwi recruits, Hurricanes team-mate Pouri Rakete-Stones, Crusaders flanker Tom Christie and Blues No 8 Hoskins Sotutu.

When Fineanganofo lines up against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka on Saturday, standing opposite him will be another future Red Bulls signing, Olympic silver medallist Joji Nasova.

Before jetting off to Fiji on Thursday, Fineanganofo provided some insight into his decision to sign overseas so early in his career.

He indicated the higher salaries were too hard to resist.

“I just want to provide for my family and maybe try another opportunity,” he said.

Although it was his tries that grabbed the attention against Moana, coach Clark Laidlaw said there was another part of Fineanganofo’s game that impressed him in round two: His defence.

Fehi Fineanganofo scores a try against Moana Pasifika.

Laidlaw played an instrumental role in bringing Fineanganofo to the capital after first coaching him when he was at the helm of the All Blacks Sevens.

“Fehi is obviously a power winger. He breaks tackles often and I think the part that maybe people underestimate with Fehi will be his defensive game,” Laidlaw said.

“CJ [Cory Jane] and Fehi have done an amazing job of becoming a really strong defender in the 15s game, so he doesn’t look like it’s his second season.”

Fineanganofo will be looking to add to his try tally against the winless Drua on Saturday, but he said he was expecting a difficult day at Churchill Park.

The Drua’s round one defeat to Moana Pasifika was their first at the venue in 10 games.

To help the Hurricanes prepare for the harsh conditions, they delivered all their team meetings in the heat chamber at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport in Upper Hutt this week.

“Over the last few years it’s been hard for anyone to tip them over in Fiji and obviously you’ve got the humidity and stuff,” he said.

As for the remainder of the season, Fineanganofo said he was determined to “go out with a bang” by helping the Hurricanes win their second Super Rugby trophy.