Fehy Finanganofo: Uncertainty over winger’s move to Newcastle Red Bulls

New Zealand Rugby has denied any involvement in the reported U-turn by Fahey Finyanganofo to move to England to join Newcastle Red Bulls for next season.

The prolific wing, who equaled the single-season Super Rugby record with 16 tries for the Hurricanes this term, Was announced as one of Newcastle’s incoming signings in January.

Finanganofo’s form has put him firmly on New Zealand coach Dave Rennie’s radar, but will make the 23-year-old ineligible for the All Blacks.

A report from New Zealand last week, outsider Claims the country’s rugby authorities have found a solution to keep Finniangnofo down, leaving Newcastle officials “very, very upset”.

In 2015, New Zealand Rugby reached an agreement with Clermont Auvergne to tear up a deal that would have seen wing Waisake Naholo move to France and out of Test contention.

However, the union insists there will be no repeat of Finyanganofo’s case. It said its position remained unchanged since an interview given by chief executive Steve Lancaster a fortnight ago.

“We don’t really do that. It’s the player’s choice,” Lancaster Dr, outsider Finegananofo is likely to be bought out of his Red Bulls contract.

“There’s nothing stopping Fahey from doing that, but it’s not a place where we go in, try to buy players out of contract.

“A lot has changed for him since the end of last year. He’s made the most of every opportunity he’s had.

“If he has a change of heart, it’s entirely up to him.

“The ball is in his court. But even if he honors his contract with Newcastle, he’s still young. He might come back.”

World Rugby rules prohibit a union inducing a player to break their club contract, just as clubs are prohibited from overpaying players to end their international careers.

However, Uncapped Finanganofo, who has spoken of his desire to earn enough money so his parents can retire, will be aware that representing the All Blacks will increase his salary.

Estimates of the New Zealand Herald, outsider That, even after international recognition, his two-year Red Bulls contract – reportedly worth £200,000 a year – still tops what he would earn at home.

But the increased profile of Test match play, especially with the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027, could be a lucrative deal later in his career.

Finegananofo’s agent Bruce Sharrock, who was also Naholo’s agent when his contract with Claremont was terminated, insisted it would rely on New Zealand Rugby to negotiate with Newcastle if it wanted to make his client Rennie available.

“NZ Rugby had an opportunity to sign Fehy,” he said told the Rugby Direct podcast. , outsider

“What they put on the table was nowhere near the match. His performance then ramped up and they said they wanted to keep him now.

“That’s fine. Go and have a commercial conversation with the person with the contract and see if you can make a deal.”

Newcastle Red Bulls declined to comment.