mens
nations-championship
Fehi Fineanganofo was perhaps the biggest star of 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, and now, five months later, he has been named for his first start in the All black people jersey.
With 24 clear breaks and 50 defenders beaten in his eye-catching Super Rugby campaign, Finegananofo tied the single-season record in style with his 17th and final hat-trick in the 60-5 win. Bosses in the grand final.
The 24-year-old suffered a concussion, hamstring injury, renegotiated his contract with Newcastle Red Bulls to secure his All Blacks’ right to next year’s Rugby World Cup, and has made his debut off the bench for the All Blacks in the five months since. It all culminated in an opportunity this weekend in the number 14 jersey.
The soft-spoken speedster said it was “very nice and very exciting” to get his chance after a season with some “ups and downs”.
“I guess it’s as special as a debut, your first start. I’m excited to get out there,” he told reporters in Cardiff.
Fineganofo said he was “definitely” itching to get back on the pitch as he watched the Tests against Italy, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and Scotland. But now he’s back in the election picture and knows exactly what he wants to bring to the game.
“I’m just hoping to bring a bit of X-factor, a bit of power, speed. Hopefully I can do that at the weekend – and hopefully I’ll try.”
After his debut in Christchurch earlier this year, he admitted he threw up at half-time because his nerves were so intense. And while he has only played those 12 minutes in his Test career so far, what little experience the former All Blacks Sevens ace has to rely on has been enough to set expectations.
“There’s a lot of speed, a lot of physicality (in Test rugby). I guess I just want another taste of that physicality this weekend and test myself,” he said.
He will be tasked with managing one of the biggest attacking threats in the modern game: contested shots. New Zealand’s pull-back contest strategy usually emphasizes wingers turning and running away to compete for high balls in the air, so they can leave their full-back in the backfield to collect loose balls or tackle any opposition who may win possession.
Finegananofo expects Wales to keep him busy with their attacking punches in Cardiff.
“Whome done a bit of a preview of theirs punches, and the majority of to them are disputed. SFr we hope so I I can get to them back for the team.”
