Hurricanes Winger Ties Season Try Record in 47-24 Win

A young rugby player just had the kind of night that changes careers, tying a record that's stood since legends set it years ago.

Fehi Fineanganofo scored his 16th try of the season Saturday night as the Hurricanes crushed the Blues 47-24 at Auckland's Eden Park. The 16-try mark equals the Super Rugby Pacific season record set by Brumbies legend Joe Roff and former Hurricanes star Ben Lam.

The former sevens player has started every single game this season for the Hurricanes, who now sit five points clear at the top of the standings. With just two rounds left in the regular season, Fineanganofo has a real shot at breaking the record outright.

His coach Clark Laidlaw can barely contain his pride. "I've known him since he was 18," Laidlaw said after the match. "His growth, his ability to learn, his work rate and work ethic, he's shouldered some amount of work through the season."

The performance was so dominant that New Zealand's new national team coach Dave Rennie is almost certainly considering a call-up. For a player who was primarily known for sevens rugby just months ago, that's a remarkable turnaround.

Fineanganofo's record-tying score came with a bit of luck when the ball bounced favorably his way. He celebrated with a somersault before touching down, pure joy radiating from a player living his dream season.

The Hurricanes' demolition job at Eden Park featured seven tries total, with Fineanganofo and fellow winger Kini Naholo creating constant problems for the Blues defense. The victory moves the Hurricanes to a 10-2 record and positions them as favorites for their first championship since 2016.

Why This Inspires

Sometimes the best stories aren't about overnight success but about someone steadily building their craft until everything clicks. Fineanganofo has played every single match this season, showing up week after week even as his body took a beating.

His coach hinted he might finally get a rest in the coming weeks after exiting Saturday's match with cramping. But that willingness to push through, to be there for his teammates every time, is exactly what separates good players from record-breakers.

From an 18-year-old prospect to a player catching the national coach's eye, Fineanganofo's journey reminds us that consistency and work ethic still matter in an age of instant gratification.

The Hurricanes are chasing their first title in a decade, and they're doing it with a winger who refuses to stop running.