Newcastle Red Bulls signing in doubt as New Zealand Rugby intervene

The Hurricanes flyer has been outstanding this season, scoring 16 tries in Super Rugby, including two hat-tricks and a four-try performance against the Brumbies.

That tally matches the highest number of tries ever scored by a player in a Super Rugby season, drawing level with Joe Roff and Ben Lam.

Newcastle confirmed the signing of the 23-year-old in January ahead of next season, with Fineanganofo agreeing to a two-year contract as part of the club's recruitment push following Red Bull's takeover last summer.

Fineanganofo has also represented New Zealand in sevens, including at the Paris Olympics in 2024, though his current form has caught many by surprise after he scored just six tries last season.

With his breakout campaign continuing, New Zealand Rugby are now believed to be eager to retain him and potentially fast-track him into All Blacks contention.

Popular Kiwi podcaster Andy Rowe told Sport Nation's Millsy & Guy on Friday that he understands Fineanganofo's agreement with Newcastle has been "blocked" by NZR.

"I have woken up this morning to some news, and it's good news for New Zealand Rugby fans and Hurricanes fans, and terrible news for the Newcastle fans," claimed the co-host of The Good, The Bad, The Rugby alongside Jeremy Paul and Justin Marshall.

"My sources on the ground in Newcastle are telling me they're very, very upset that the deal is off.

"My understanding from the way that the news was leaked to me from Newcastle was they were very upset that New Zealand Rugby had - quote, unquote - blocked the deal."

Rowe believes Fineanganofo could be wearing an All Blacks jersey by the start of the inaugural Nations Championship in July.

“New Zealand Rugby Union have done what we all hoped they’d do, pulled some strings, done a Waisake Naholo and said 'mate, you're pretty much guaranteed to be in the All Blacks squad, so stick around, we'll give you a black jersey and we’ll give you a long term contract'.”

Rowe also feels staying in New Zealand would be the right move for the winger.

“I guarantee you by the end of the year, the whole world is going to be saying this guy's one of the best if not the best wingers in the world,” he explained.

“Every time he gets the ball with an opportunity, he scores and he's mistake free as well. You don't see him make any clangers.

“He's a smart footballer, he gets himself in the right position at the right time. But equally, he’s got a skillset and an explosiveness from zero to 100. He can move, he can shift, and he's a complete package at the moment."