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All Black Samipeni Finau puts pen to paper on Chiefs extension
By Ned Lester
The All Blacks and Chiefs will continue to have the services of abrasive young blindside flanker Samipeni Finau thanks to a new contract announced on Monday.
The new deal sees the 25-year-old remain with his familiar club and country until 2026.
Despite Finau's recent drop out of Scott Robertson's matchday 23, the flanker is expected to be a key part of the All Blacks' long-term plans thanks to his near two-metre-tall, 115kg frame and his propensity for burying opposing playmakers in the dirt.
Now with just shy of a half-century of Chiefs caps along with three All Blacks appearances, the Tongan-born powerhouse has carved out an important role for the back-to-back Super Rugby Pacific finalists.
“He has put in a lot of effort over the last few years to go from a relatively raw-boned athlete finding his feet in the professional ranks to becoming an All Black," Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said after the deal was announced.
“As a Chief, he consistently has a positive influence on our game through his athleticism and desire for combat on both sides of the ball. He provides a good balance amongst our other loose forwards, and we know at his young age his best years are all in front of him. We are excited to be part of that journey.”
After missing selection for the Rugby Championship round two win over Argentina, Finau was released from All Blacks duties to represent Waikato in their NPC matchup with Counties Manukau.
Coming off the bench in the 48th minute, the flanker contributed nine carries and five carries without a miss.
He expressed his excitement to lock in his immediate future with the Chiefs.
“I’m grateful to be extending my time with the Gallagher Chiefs. This team and its brotherhood have helped shape me into the player I am today.
“I’m thankful for the opportunities the Chiefs family has given me and can’t wait to get back into it next year!”
Elsewhere in New Zealand, the Blues recently re-signed midfielder Bryce Heem for the 2025 season and the Crusaders locked in up-and-coming outside back Chay Fihaki through until 2026.
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Latest Comments
I'm pretty sure Foster started with easier games though - like playing Aussie in our own backyard etc.
Go to commentsFunny, isn't it - you ignore the comment around
"In NZ, the population with Samoan heritage is 185,000 people, or just under 4%.
Tongans in NZ are around 85,000 people, or just under 2%."
How does that tie into naturalizing Samoans - did we import 185,000 Samoans for rugby purposes?
Or how about the comment about Polynesians -Nah, basically, show your complete ignorance around the Pacific and it's people....
Then to show real ignorance - your comment, "You are not" - well actually, I'm pretty much reflective of NZ really - I have Irish (including former IRA members - back in the 1920s, I might add), Scottish, and English heritage - oh and a little bit Maori as well, then in my greater family (cousins) we have Samoan as well.
Appears according to your views - NZ is still part of the British Empire, NZ is composed of just two peoples - white settlers and pesky Maori and everyone else in the country is not really a Kiwi.
Can you confirm again how many Polynesians are in Ireland - it must be heaps, given you have 20% of your team composed of people with that heritage.
Let's face it - you come from a country that set up a scheme called "project players" - namely to identify foreign professional players who could be signed up and under the 3-year residency play for Ireland.
How you compare "project players" to NZ being a natural home and destination to people of the Pacific - well can't help you if you are that ignorant.
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