The Japan Times - Hurricanes lament looming loss of four-try winger Fineanganofo

The electric wing scored four tries in the Hurricanes' 45-10 dismantling of the ACT Brumbies in Christchurch on Saturday night, having brought up his third hat-trick of the season before the interval.

It lifts Fineanganofo's season-leading tally to 14 tries, within sight of the competition record.

Another Hurricanes left wing, Ben Lam, scored 16 tries in 2018.

Fineanganofo's form might normally be enough to have him in contention to make an All Blacks debut.

However, under New Zealand Rugby's rules he is ineligible after signing in January to play for the Newcastle Red Bulls, on a two-season deal.

Laidlaw said it will be difficult for Super Rugby supporters to watch the speedster depart as his career blossoms.

"It would be nice to keep him here, wouldn't it? Just for the competition, forget higher honours," Laidlaw said.

"For us and for the competition, he's genuine X-factor, isn't he? He's his own highlight reel most weeks.

"Who knows, he might be back. He's only 23. His best rugby is ahead of him.

"Hopefully, he goes to the Red Bulls and continues to improve because he's a good young man, I've known him since he was 18, and it's nice to see him playing the way he is."

The Brumbies went into the game seeking a clean-sweep of the five original New Zealand Super Rugby teams this season.

Instead, coach Stephen Larkham said a review of their slumping form was needed, having been upset at home last week by Fijian Drua.

"As the competition goes on, you understand your strengths and weaknesses," said Larkham, after the Brumbies posted their fifth loss and dropped to fifth.

"I think the results would indicate, especially the last two weeks, that we've gone backwards."

New Zealand teams hold down the top four spots with five rounds remaining until the play-offs.

The Hurricanes host the fourth-placed Canterbury Crusaders next week while the Brumbies travel to play the sixth-placed Queensland Reds.

T.Ikeda--JT