Fineanganofo stays with Hurricanes until 2027 in reworked Red Bulls deal to chase World Cup dream

Fehi Fineanganofo will remain in New Zealand with the Hurricanes and Bay of Plenty through 2027 after New Zealand Rugby confirmed a one-year contract extension, with Newcastle Red Bulls agreeing to rework the terms of their existing deal to accommodate the arrangement.

The 24-year-old winger had already been contracted to join the Red Bulls, but the English club’s sporting general manager Neil McIlroy said the organisation was willing to adjust those terms to support Fineanganofo’s ambitions of representing the All Blacks at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

“We are fully supportive of Fehi’s desire to represent his country at Rugby World Cup 2027, which marries with our own philosophy of aiming high and enabling our athletes to fulfil their ambitions,” McIlroy said.

Fineanganofo will still honour his commitment to Newcastle, joining the Red Bulls on a three-year deal from 2027 to 2029 once the World Cup concludes. The arrangement gives all parties a clear timeline while keeping one of Super Rugby’s most exciting emerging talents in the southern hemisphere for another season.

The winger, who made his All Blacks debut last year as part of a breakout campaign with the Hurricanes, said he was eager to build on that momentum.

“I’m excited to be staying in New Zealand with the Hurricanes for next season,” Fineanganofo said. “I’m proud of what we achieved last season, and I’m looking forward to helping defend the Super Rugby title while continuing to put my hand up for the All Blacks ahead of the Rugby World Cup.”

NZR General Manager Professional Rugby Relationships Simon Simmers described the outcome as a positive resolution for everyone involved. “We are pleased to have reached a positive resolution for Fehi and look forward to seeing him continue playing his rugby in New Zealand through 2027 and chasing his dream of playing at a Rugby World Cup.”

The deal underlines the growing influence of the Rugby World Cup cycle on player movement decisions, with clubs and unions increasingly willing to negotiate flexible arrangements as the 2027 tournament in Australia approaches.