New Zealand Rugby has denied any involvement in a reported U-turn by Fehi Fineanganofo over a move to England to join Newcastle Red Bulls for next season.<\/p>\n
The prolific wing, who has equalled the single-season Super Rugby record by scoring 16 tries for the Hurricanes this term, was announced as one of Newcastle’s incoming signings in January.<\/a><\/p>\n Fineanganofo’s form since has put him firmly on the radar of New Zealand coach Dave Rennie, but a move aboard would make the 23-year-old ineligible for the All Blacks.<\/p>\n A report in New Zealand last week, external<\/a> claimed that the country’s rugby authorities had found a solution to keep Fineanganofo down under, leaving Newcastle officials “very, very upset”.<\/p>\n In 2015, New Zealand Rugby reached an agreement with Clermont Auvergne to tear up a contract that would have taken wing Waisake Naholo to France and out of Test contention.<\/p>\n However, the union insists there will not be a repeat in Fineanganofo’s case. It says its stance is unchanged since an interview given by chief executive Steve Lancaster a fortnight ago.<\/p>\n “We don’t really do that. These are player choices,” Lancaster said, external<\/a> of the possibility of buying Fineanganofo out his Red Bulls contract.<\/p>\n “There’s nothing stopping Fehi from doing that, but it’s not a space we get into, looking to buy players out of contracts.<\/p>\n “Things have changed a lot for him since the end of last year. He’s taken every opportunity he’s been given so good on him.<\/p>\n “If he has a change of heart, that’s absolutely up to him.<\/p>\n “The ball is in his court around that. But even if he does honour his contract to Newcastle, he’s still young. He might well be back.”<\/p>\n World Rugby rules prohibit a union inducing a player to break their club contract, just as clubs are banned from offering players extra money to end their international careers.<\/p>\n However, uncapped Fineanganofo, who has spoken of his desire to earn enough money so his parents can retire, will be aware that representing the All Blacks would boost his pay.<\/p>\n