Chiefs 2026
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Naitoa Ah Kuoi has signed on for one more season with the Chiefs:
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Squad
Props
Sione Ahio
George Dyer - rumoured to be heading to Munster
Ollie Norris
Reuben O'Neill
Jared Proffit
Aidan RossHookers
Brodie McAlister
Bradley Slater - rumoured to be heading to the Blues
Samisoni Taukei'aho
Taine KoloseLocks
Naitoa Ah Kuoi
Josh Lord
Fiti Sa
Manaaki Selby-Rickit
Jimmy Tupou
Tupou Vaa'i
Jayden SaLoose forwards
Kaylum Boshier
Jahrome Brown
Samipeni Finau
Luke Jacobson
Simon Parker
Wallace Sititi
Malachi Wrampling-Alec
Oli MathisHalfbacks
Cortez Ratima
Xavier Roe
Te Toiroa TahuriorangiFirst fives
Josh Jacomb
Damian McKenzie
Kaleb TraskMidfield
Anton Lienert-Brown
Rameka Poihipi
Daniel Rona
Quinn Tupaea
Gideon WramplingOutside backs
Leroy Carter
Liam Coombes-Fabling
Etene Nanai-Seturo
Emoni Narawa
Shaun Stevenson
Kyren TaumoefolauThe only confirmed departures so far are Shaun Stevenson and Aidan Ross with Kyren Taumoefolau rumoured to be joining.
Presumably the Chiefs will be making some room for Oli Mathis and potentially Jayden Sa. Manaaki Selby-Rickit and Jimmy Tupou could be off-contract, same with Liam Coombes-Fabling out wide. George Dyer is rumoured to be heading to Munster but I'll believe that when I see it.
@Mr-Fish said in Chiefs 2026:
George Dyer - rumoured to be heading to Munster
He signed a new contract in July last year until 2027 so this is doubtful.
If both Tupou (he signed a 2-yr deal for 2024/25) and MSR leave, I would prefer a loose forward as there are enough locks. I am hoping Andrew Smith has a big NPC. A no.7 should be the top priority.
Trask signed for 2024-25 when he went to Japan.
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Am hoping to see Benet Kumeroa and Tepaea Cook Savage added along with Mathis and A Smith. Kaivelata would be good too and maybe Sinton.
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Jeez I hardly remember the last time I saw Trask play. He makes Blackadder look like he's made of steel.
@Crazy-Horse said in Chiefs 2026:
Jeez I hardly remember the last time I saw Trask play. He makes Blackadder look like he's made of steel.
Rightio I'm going to call Ethan 'Man of Steel' from now on in...
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@ARHS I had forgotten about Kaivelata, think he only signed a short term contract in Japan ,so he might be returning
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Even though Kumeroa has been a regular in the WTG and involved more pre-game since Ahio got injured, the Chiefs will need a LH to replace Ross. Take out Kaivelata, I would opt for a younger prop to develop. Mason Tupaea (if not wanted by the Blues) or Will Martin would be my choices.
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Even though Kumeroa has been a regular in the WTG and involved more pre-game since Ahio got injured, the Chiefs will need a LH to replace Ross. Take out Kaivelata, I would opt for a younger prop to develop. Mason Tupaea (if not wanted by the Blues) or Will Martin would be my choices.
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:
Even though Kumeroa has been a regular in the WTG and involved more pre-game since Ahio got injured, the Chiefs will need a LH to replace Ross. Take out Kaivelata, I would opt for a younger prop to develop. Mason Tupaea (if not wanted by the Blues) or Will Martin would be my choices.
I'd be surprised if Mason Tupaea wasn't retained by the Blues. I think Jordan Lay is leaving, and Ofa doesn't seem to be returning anytime soon, so I'm gonna assume that he'll be signed on and he got a fair bit of game time in the 2nd half of the season.
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In fact Kobe have already posted their farewells on Instagram and KK is not included, so probably safe to assume he's not coming back to NZ next year.
@Mr-Fish said in Chiefs 2026:
In fact Kobe have already posted their farewells on Instagram and KK is not included, so probably safe to assume he's not coming back to NZ next year.
CM have now confirmed Kaivelata isn't coming back to play for them. Probably being lined up to play for Japan.
Also, the Chiefs seem to be slowly announcing who is leaving starting with Aidan Ross today.
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@OleOleOle said in Chiefs 2026:
Kaleb Trask heading back to Japan on a 2 year deal…not sure which club
So no way they will be wanting to let Jacomb leave.
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@hikastags yes, confirmed by my sources….just waiting to be announced.
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@OleOleOle said in Chiefs 2026:
Kaleb Trask heading back to Japan on a 2 year deal…not sure which club
So no way they will be wanting to let Jacomb leave.
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@OleOleOle said in Chiefs 2026:
Kaleb Trask heading back to Japan on a 2 year deal…not sure which club
So no way they will be wanting to let Jacomb leave.
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:
@OleOleOle said in Chiefs 2026:
Kaleb Trask heading back to Japan on a 2 year deal…not sure which club
So no way they will be wanting to let Jacomb leave.
Would he want to stay behind an AB though?
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:
@OleOleOle said in Chiefs 2026:
Kaleb Trask heading back to Japan on a 2 year deal…not sure which club
So no way they will be wanting to let Jacomb leave.
Would he want to stay behind an AB though?
@Canes4life So you would be happy for Higgins to go elsewhere as he will be behind Barrett? There will be injuries and rotation throughout a season.
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@Canes4life So you would be happy for Higgins to go elsewhere as he will be behind Barrett? There will be injuries and rotation throughout a season.
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:
@Canes4life So you would be happy for Higgins to go elsewhere as he will be behind Barrett? There will be injuries and rotation throughout a season.
Of course I wouldn’t be happy, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened. Same with Godfrey if Love ends up being our 10 next year. But I would get it, they have to do what’s best for themselves to give them the best chance of making it to that next level.
