Despite agreeing a move to the Gallagher Prem strugglers ahead of next season, New Zealand star Fehi Fineanganofo is reportedly considering ripping up his contract.
The newly named Newcastle Red Bulls, who finished bottom of the Gallagher Prem table for a fourth consecutive season last campaign, looked to have secured one of the first major coups of their new era when the signing of the All Black winger was announced.
However, with a sensational Super Rugby Pacific campaign thrusting him into New Zealand contention, the Times have reported that Fehi Fineanganofo is reportedly exploring his options.
I actually don’t know. I’m leaving it to my agent to come back to me. I guess he’s doing something good.
Fehi Fineanganofo on whether he will cancel his Newcastle Red Bulls contract for next season
The star man in the Hurricanes' 60-5 win over the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final, Fineanganofo scored 17 tries last campaign, earning himself a place in New Zealand's provisional squad for the upcoming Nations Championship.
The issue for the player, Newcastle and the All Blacks is the nation's eligibility rules, which - similar to England - restrict players who are not currently playing within New Zealand from featuring internationally.
As a result, this has led to a battle between the Red Bulls - who he has a contract with ahead of next season - and New Zealand, who want to select their budding star.
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has described the 23 year-old's form as “irresistible”, as he called up the young winger, who is contracted to New Zealand rugby until November.
This is especially significant, as honouring his proposed Newcastle contract would mean missing out on selection for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
All of this has led to Fehi Fineanganofo looking into the possibility of ripping up his Newcastle contract and staying in his native New Zealand.
Speaking on the possibility of cancelling his Newcastle deal, Fineanganofo said: “Possibly, if I could, but if not I’ll go take my contract and honour it. Maybe in the next few weeks [I’ll know more]. Hopefully soon."
On his decision to join Newcastle initially, the 23 year-old said: “It’s probably one of the hardest decisions I made, at the start of this year, to choose between the jersey or my family. At the start of this year I chose family, and now things have changed. Hopefully things can work out for me both ways. "
“My parents see it as well, saying, ‘You can’t give up an opportunity like this’. I have a big chance, I’ve got to take it.”
The report highlights that New Zealand rugby will not pay out Fineanganofo's contract, with the decision entirely down to the player and whether he is legally able to cancel his upcoming deal.
Despite this, should the winger decide to cancel his deal with the Red Bulls, it would be the responsibility of the organisation to negotiate terms with Newcastle directly, as it is they who pay the players rather than the individual clubs.
It remains to be seen whether or not Fineanganofo will be able to cancel his Newcastle contract, but at this stage, it appears that the best course of action for all parties would be to find an agreement of some capacity.
