Hurricanes Sign Breakthrough Olympic Seven's Star

Breakthrough Olympic Seven's winger Fehi Fineanganofo has signed a two-year contract with the Hurricanes for 2025 and 2026.
 
Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, Fineanganofo was a schoolboy star. Plucked out of prestigious rugby school, Auckland Grammar, he earned his first representative callup for the New Zealand Schools side in 2020.
 
Fineanganofo's promising start to rugby was plagued by a series of injuries that sidelined him from the 2021 New Zealand Olympic Sevens team. With his rugby career in jeopardy, Fineanganofo credits one man in particular for his spectacular return.
 
“I did my ACL right after school, which ruled me out for about two years,” he recalls, “I got out of shape and was in a pretty dark spot when I got a call from the Head Coach of the All Black Seven’s.”
 
That coach was none other than Clark Laidlaw, current Head Coach of the Hurricanes.
 
“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 Black Seven’s squad, making my debut in Los Angeles in 2023.”
 
Fineanganofo continued to impress in the All Black Seven’s and went on to represent his country at the 2024 Paris Olympic games, earning himself the title of NZ Seven’s ‘breakthrough star’ of the year.
 
Speaking of signing his inaugural Super Rugby Pacific contract with the Hurricanes, Fineanganofo said:
 
“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.”
 
Hurricanes Head Coach Clark Laidlaw spoke fondly of his time with Fineanganofo at the All Black Seven’s, and was thrilled to be welcoming him to the Hurricanes whānau:
 
“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 Black Seven’s 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.”