Wellington Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw hopes breakout Super Rugby star Fehi Fineanganofo won't be lost to New Zealand after the winger bagged a second hat-trick of tries in as many games.
Fineanganofo left the Queensland Reds grasping as he scored three of the Hurricanes' eight tries in a 52-14 win in Wellington on Saturday night, cementing their competition lead.
The electric 23-year-old also notched a triple against the Otago Highlanders a week earlier and he shares the top of the overall try-scorer list on nine, alongside ACT Brumbies back-rower Charlie Cale.
Such form might normally put the uncapped Fineanganofo in the picture for All Blacks selection.
However, he is ineligible under New Zealand's international selection rules after signing a two-year contract with English club Newcastle starting later this year.
Laidlaw said he wouldn't be surprised if Fineanganofo returns to New Zealand a better player.
"The world's a transient place now. You can go and come back," said Laidlaw, who had previously coached Fineanganofo in the New Zealand sevens team.
"I've seen for five or six years now, how quickly Fehi can change and adapt his game and grow.
"I'm never a believer that one decision determines what happens in the future. He's here this year and we're just loving the way he's playing."
The Hurricanes scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to sweep aside a Reds side who had won their four previous games and extend their winning streak against the Queensland outfit to 11 matches.
Laden with All Blacks throughout their backline, the Hurricanes have posted 50 points in four of their six games, notching a competition-high 41 tries.
Captain Du'Plessis Kirifi said a more important statistic was their 14 tries conceded, which was also the best of any team.
"It's well known the Hurricanes have always been able to score tries but at times the challenge has been defending," he said.
"We really want it to be a cornerstone of our game now."