Fehi Fineanganofo breaks silence on Newcastle move after All Blacks call-up: ‘Things have changed’
Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo.
Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo has addressed the speculation around his contract situation with Newcastle Red Bulls.
The 23-year-old speedster was one of four uncapped players included in Dave Rennie’s first All Blacks squad of the year along with German-born flanker Anton Segner, prop Xavier Numia, and fellow ‘Canes outside back Josh Moorby.
Fineanganofo earned his call-up after breaking the Super Rugby Pacific record for the most tries scored in a single season, crossing 17 times in 14 appearances with Moorby matching his five-point tally.
His performances throughout the Hurricanes’ title-winning season, their first since 2016, led many to speculate whether he could get out of his deal with the Red Bulls, which he signed before the start of the season.
Fehi Fineanganofo addresses contract situation
Speaking at the squad announcement, he confirmed that his agent is working on an exit strategy from the contract as he hopes to make himself available to the All Blacks.
“I actually don’t know. I’m just leaving it to my agent, and I’m still waiting for him to come back to me, but I guess he’s doing something good,” Fineanganofo said when asked for an update on his situation.
He added that his preference was to remain in New Zealand.
“Possibly if I could, but if not, I’ll take my contract and honour it,” he added.
However, he expects the process to take a few weeks, but he is hopeful that an outcome will be reached shortly. “Maybe in the next few weeks, but yeah, hopefully soon,” he added.
The Super Rugby Pacific champion explained that the financial pull was part of the reason he signed with Newcastle earlier this year, with the winger wanting to look after his family.
In signing the deal, he effectively gave up on his chance of representing the All Blacks, but his form in 2026 was ‘irresistible’ according to head coach Rennie. Having shot up the pecking order for the Test team, Fineanganofo’s situation has changed significantly.
“It’s probably one of the hardest decisions at the start of this year,” he explained.
“It was just to choose between the jersey or my family. I guess at the start of this year I just chose family and now things have changed and hopefully things can work out for me both ways.
“My parents can see it as well, so they said I can’t give up an opportunity like this. If I have a big chance, then I’ve got to take it.”
Newcastle Red Bulls rebuild
While the Red Bulls will certainly be disappointed about the prospect of missing out on Fineanganofo if he does come to an agreement to rip up his contract, the PREM Rugby club has been incredibly busy on the transfer market.
The club has signed 21 senior players ahead of next season with a further nine joining the academy. All Blacks and Blues number eight Hoskins Sotutu is one of the high-profile signings, along with Los Pumas lock Franco Molina. Hurricanes prop Pouri Rakete-Stones will also make the switch to Newcastle, as will the likes of Raffi Quirke, Zack Henry, Chris Harris and Joji Nasova.
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The Red Bulls also bid farewell to 24 senior players and four academy talents at the end of the season, while Wales legend Liam Williams retired during the 2025/26 campaign. Newcastle’s revamp comes after yet another bottom-of-the-table finish in the league, their fourth straight season that has occurred.
This season, the club led by former Crusaders flanker Tom Christie won just two PREM Rugby matches but did fare better in the Challenge Cup, winning three of their four pool matches but were beaten by La Rochelle in the round of 16.
READ MORE: All Blacks squad: Dave Rennie axes Rieko Ioane, selects four bolters and names new captain for 2026
