So close yet so far: players out of reach for the All Blacks shine in Super Rugby
It may be human nature that things prohibited are the most desirable. The many New Zealand players who are overseas, permanently or on sabbatical, are out of sight and mind. The players in Super Rugby who are still out of reach are more enticing.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — It may be human nature that things prohibited are the most desirable. So it is for new head coach Dave Rennie who might find players in Super Rugby who are ineligible for All Blacks selection especially tantalizing. The many New Zealand players who are overseas, permanently or on sabbatical, are out of sight and mind.
The players in Super Rugby who are still out of reach are more enticing. Top of that list is the Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo who should in every way be All Blacks material. The 23-year-old was born, raised and educated in Auckland, played in the National Provincial Championship for Bay of Plenty and for the New Zealand sevens before joining the Wellington-based Hurricanes in 2024.
His combination of power and pace, his 15 tries in 10 matches this season — one short of the tournament’s season record of 16 — would have made him a standout for Rennie’s first All Blacks team. But Fineanganofo has already signed for the Newcastle Red Bulls in Premiership Rugby for the next two years, taking him out of All Blacks consideration. Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw was asked whether anything could be done to keep the winger in New Zealand.
“I’m not sure,” he said. “Be nice to keep him here, wouldn’t it? “For the competition, forget higher honors and stuff, for us and for the competition he’s a genuine X-factor.