Finegan, a World Cup winning flanker with Australia in 1999, was one of Newcastle's high profile signings last summer and was brought in to help improve their mid-table finish.
James missed the conversion and then a penalty when Gloucester flanker Peter Buxton was lucky to escape a yellow card for a reckless high tackle on Abendanon that sparked a brawl.
South Africa flanker Juan Smith was sin-binned by New Zealand referee Steve Walsh for a high tackle on Hernandez in the 77th minute, causing a mass melee.