Uncertainty clouds Dave Rennie’s All Blacks selection picture at first five and wing

Tuesday, 19 May 2026

ANALYSIS: Now that took a turn for the worse. With the agonising rupture of Caleb Tangitau’s Achilles tendon in Hamilton on Friday night, the wing landscape in New Zealand rugby shifted markedly into uncomfortable territory.

All of a sudden the pending departure of breakout Hurricanes try-scoring freak Fehi Fineanganofo to Newcastle in England flips from mildly inconvenient to majorly annoying. With Tangitau seemingly set to slide into Dave Rennie’s looming All Blacks squad as a fresh injection of youthful talent, it was easy to make the case that the premature exit of the 24-year-old Canes speedster was more an annoyance than an out-and-out disturbance.

Now, it threatens to swing decidedly into the latter category.

In fact, if someone isn’t having a few words in the young man’s ear, suggesting he pore over the fine print of that contract, maybe raise some commitment doubts with his contacts at Newcastle, something is wrong somewhere. Fineanganofo, who needs just one more try to break the record Super Rugby season haul, has an opportunity to light the fuse on an All Blacks career he probably saw as a faraway dream at the start of ‘26, and the ball would appear to be in his court on that.

The upshot of round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific, amid larger events in play, has certainly thrown the key All Blacks areas of wing and No 10 into a different perspective. Rennie, who spent last week in New Zealand connecting with and assessing talent, would have returned to Japan this week with plenty swirling round in that considerable rugby brain of his.

Let’s examine the wing situation first.

It was fair to suppose impressive Highlanders flyer Tangitau had done enough already to force his way into the national squad. At 23, he fits broadly into the emerging star category, and with speed, power, X-factor and finishing ability to burn, he looked like a valuable addition alongside incumbents Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa, Leroy Carter and Leicester Fainga’anuku.

But with Tangitau now facing at least nine months out, he’s going to be in a race against time even to make it back to contend for next year’s World Cup.

That leaves the new boss with some thinking to do. Of his wing incumbents, Clarke is the only one active in the spot, playing well for a disappointingly one-dimensional Blues outfit. Both Narawa and Carter are out injured for the Chiefs (though due back for the finals) and Fainga’anuku is playing openside flanker for the Crusaders as he turns himself into the hybrid the All Blacks never knew they needed.

That’s why Fineanganofo’s situation is so tantalising. He’s reported to have signed a deal worth around $450,000 annually for Newcastle.That’s game-changing money for a young man still making his way in rugby.

Yet an All Blacks deal would take him in the vicinity – likely around $300,000 a year for a squad newcomer – with the opportunity to boost that considerably as a regular starter, and also enhance his future value on the international market.

No one is saying too much about the Canes wing’s situation, other than to suggest the dye is cast. A contract is a contract, and all that.

Certainly New Zealand Rugby has to tread carefully here. Under World Rugby regulations they can’t be seen to be influencing a player to break a contract, Their official stance is any rethink is up to the player and they won’t be pitching in for a buyout.

There is precedent in the form of Waisake Naholo in 2015 who sprung a deal to get out of a contract with Clermont to be part of the World Cup campaign. It’s understood NZR was not directly involved in that arrangement.

What the national body, and its coaches, can do is send a strong message to the young wing that it would be worth his while to stay. Still, it’s a tough call for Fineanganofo to make. Much will depend on the contract and Newcastle’s thinking. Just how much is that All Blacks dream worth to him?

Rennie is not without other options as he weighs his wing prospects. Fellow Canes wing Kini Naholo could yet play his way into consideration after a promising belated start to the year and makeshift types such as Will Jordan and Rieko Ioane could also come into the picture.

No 10 also looks an interesting call, with the returning Richie Mo’unga the red herring. Right now NZ Rugby has said he’s not available until after the SA tour, though an exemption could be sought. There is precedent for it, too, though HQ is anxious to send a strong message around player loyalty.

Rennie is on the record saying he’s happy with the depth at 10, though that might be over-stating the case. He has three solid options in Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Ruben Love, and providing they stay healthy looks well covered.

But another sub-par effort from Barrett, in the Blues’ 47-24 defeat to the Hurricanes, raises the spectre of a form decline that would not be unusual for a player of his vintage (now 34). The 144-test veteran has been a brilliant All Black, but it’s fair to ask: are his best days well behind him?

McKenzie carries strong appeal as an impact type capable of covering 10 and 15, and Love is an exciting prospect, though short on test experience. When Mo’unga phases in, doubts ease. Until then, there’s plenty to watch for at finals time.