Fineanganofo rethinks move after All Black call-up

Uncapped wing Fehi Fineanganofo (right) said he hoped to get out of his contract to play for English club Newcastle to pursue a place at the 2027 World Cup, after being named in the All Blacks squad.

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The 23-year-old signed a contract with Premiership club Newcastle Red Bulls in January, before a stellar season with Super Rugby champions Wellington Hurricanes thrust him into the All Blacks reckoning.

Speedster Fineanganofo scored a Super Rugby record 17th try of the campaign as the Hurricanes lifted the title last weekend, earning him a place in new coach Dave Rennie’s 34-man squad, named Monday.

Fineanganofo is due to join Newcastle in November when his contract with New Zealand Rugby expires and eligibility rules mean Rennie cannot select players who are contracted overseas.

Fineanganofo and his agent are now attempting to extricate him from the Newcastle contract so he can chase a place at the World Cup, to be played in Australia in October and November next year.