Cory Jane admits to starting Fehi Fineanganofo ‘drama’ as NZ Rugby ‘open to negotiate’ amid delicate situation
Fehi Fineanganofo in action for the Hurricanes and coach Cory Jane.
It would be “unbelievable” if NZ Rugby and the Hurricanes could manage to keep hold of star wing Fehi Fineanganofo, according to coach and All Blacks great Cory Jane.
The 23-year-old has been the subject of a transfer saga in 2026, having signed a deal with Newcastle Red Bulls in January.
That was agreed before Fineanganofo took to the field for his first Super Rugby Pacific this season, but he has since enjoyed a remarkable campaign.
As a result, there are concerns that the respective parties dropped the ball by not doing more to keep him in New Zealand.
Rumours surfaced last week that NZ Rugby had stepped in and managed to get him to renege on the deal, but that has been denied by the governing body.
Under World Rugby regulations, unions can’t be seen to be interfering and convincing players to break contracts with clubs.
NZ Rugby’s stance
It was recently reported by The Post that NZR will not get involved unless Fineanganofo’s representatives formally requests to negotiate with Newcastle, but that the governing body are “open to negotiating”.
The situation is still up in the air and ‘Canes coach Jane claims that he is none the wiser about what the future holds for the in-form wing.
“I don’t know. I remember I had this conversation when he was going and Clarky (Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw) said: ‘Fehi’s going to go’, and I tried to talk him around to staying,” he told the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin.
“I’m just hearing the rumours that you guys are probably hearing.”
In April, Jane urged NZ Rugby to “get him out of his deal”, something they would no doubt want to eventually do, but it remains a delicate situation.
“I tried to start a bit of drama on the radio with Izzy (Ex-All Black Israel Dagg) a few months ago by telling him for them (NZ Rugby) to pay for Fehi to stay,” the former All Blacks back three star said.
“I don’t know where it’s got to but it would be awesome if we can keep him because where he’s grown from last year to this year, not just scoring tries.”
Fineanganofo’s try-scoring exploits
Fineanganofo is currently nursing a hamstring issue which has ruled him out of the Hurricanes’ opening play-off clash against the Brumbies on Friday.
Should he return before the season finishes, that would give him a chance to break the Super Rugby try-scoring record that he equalled recently.
The speedster moved level with Ben Lam’s and Joe Roff’s tally of 16 against the Blues in mid-May, but it is not just his finishing prowess which has impressed Jane.
“His ability to understand the game and want to grow and want to be better, and even now looking after his body a lot more, he’s such a talent,” the coach added.
“If he does go to Newcastle then Newcastle have got a good one and if he gets to stay here, it would be unbelievable for New Zealand Rugby.”
There is still nothing precluding All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie from picking Fineanganofo while he is contracted to the Hurricanes, but he will be ineligible under NZ Rugby laws should he depart for Newcastle.
