Rugby: Hurricanes sign Olympic Sevens flyer Fehi Fineanganofo for Super Rugby Pacific

All Blacks Sevens Olympian Fehi Fineanganofo has signed a two-year contract with the Hurricanes for 2025 and 2026.

Born and raised in Auckland, Fineanganofo was a schoolboy star at Auckland Grammar and earned his first representative call-up for the New Zealand Schools side in 2020.

Fineanganofo's promising start to rugby was hampered by a series of injuries that sidelined him from the 2021 New Zealand Olympic Sevens team.

Fineanganofo, who plays on the wing for Bay of Plenty, credits current Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw and former All Blacks Sevens coach for helping him reignite his career.

"I did my ACL right after school, which ruled me out for about two years," Fineanganofo said.

"I got out of shape and was in a pretty dark spot when I got a call from the then All Blacks Sevens coach.

"Clarky played a massive role in my comeback. He saw potential in me, and with his help and a bit of hard work, I dropped the weight, got back in shape, and earned my spot in the All Blacks Sevens squad, making my debut in Los Angeles in 2023."

Fineanganofo continued to impress in the All Blacks Sevens and went on to represent his country at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and was named NZ Sevens breakthrough star of the year.

Fineanganofo was thrilled to have earned his first Super Rugby contract.

"This means a lot to me and my family. I know they're proud of me, and that means everything. They're who I do this for."

Laidlaw spoke fondly of his time with Fineanganofo at the All Blacks Sevens, and was thrilled to be welcoming him to the Hurricanes.

"I met Fehi as an 18-year-old originally. He went through a really tough couple of years with that ACL injury, but the way he worked through rehab to get a full contract with the All Blacks Sevens, which culminated in his Olympics selection, really turned our heads."

"Both his sevens and the way he's played for Bay of Plenty really excites us. He's a power athlete who can play in the midfield as well as on the wing. Fehi and the coaches are looking forward to having a strong pre-season together. We know he had a few options out there, and we're super grateful he chose to join us."

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