Ex-All Black claims NZ Rugby have ‘shoulder tapped’ Fehi Fineanganofo as Dave Rennie position ‘very clear’
Fehi Fineanganofo in action for the Hurricanes and All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie.
Former All Black Steven Bates insists that Fehi Fineanganofo would have definitely been given a nudge by NZ Rugby amid rumours that he is set to renege on his Newcastle Red Bulls deal.
Bates was among a trio of ex-New Zealand internationals who discussed the Hurricanes star’s situation with reports suggesting that the 23-year-old will not now be heading abroad.
Fineanganofo has signed a two-year deal with Newcastle but that was announced in January and since then he has enjoyed a stunning Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
The wing has equalled the record for tries scored in a single Super Rugby season and that has led to a certain amount of concern within New Zealand.
A guarantee for All Blacks selection
Providing he is eligible and available, Fineanganofo would be a certainty for the national squad ahead of the Nations Championship
Former All Blacks Stephen Donald, James Parsons and Bates were therefore asked on The Breakdown about the current saga surrounding the speedster.
Donald was first to chime in and said: “Has he been shoulder tapped? You don’t know but we possibly presume that he has.
“But also, it might be the individual. He has now had a run in Super Rugby and realised that he is well and truly at this level which he can master.
“He probably thought, ‘what am I going to live in Newcastle for when I’m literally within grasp of becoming an All Black’.
“Even if he hasn’t been told, he’s going to start to realise, ‘why not hold fire for a couple of years because the overseas will always be there, but I could fulfil a dream as opposed to going now and having regrets for the rest of my life’.”
Bates, meanwhile, is utterly convinced that NZ Rugby have looked to influence matters despite their denials.
It is against World Rugby’s laws for unions to try and convince players to break contracts.
“Let’s be honest, he’s been shoulder tapped,” the ex-back-rower said.
“What I reckon they want to do is take him to South Africa. If he’s staying, they will take him to South Africa and then Rens being Rens will teach him, ‘mate this environment’s so good, why don’t you stay?’
“That’s what they want to do and then who knows. Who are your wingers? Him and Caleb Clarke? He’s there or thereabouts.”
‘Where there’s smoke, there’s fire’
Should Fineanganofo end up staying, former hooker Parsons reckons it would have very much been a personal decision rather than the wing being convinced by outside influences.
“I do think it’s more down the lens of he’s a kid that backs himself, he’s come through the sevens programme, he’s worn the black jersey, he knows what it means, he wants to be an All Black,” he said.
“I think he’s gone, ‘actually, I am the best in the country’, and maybe looked at his options and seen what he can do.
“I agree where there’s smoke, there’s fire and, as you say, the rugby rumour mill.
“It’s very clear, Dave Rennie’s said he’s picking on form, the best players are going to get picked. I just think it’s a good thing, though, it’s not a development team.”
