Chiefs 2026

[Landers92]

I know the name has been floated in here but I’ve just had confirmation from an extremely reliable source that Isaac Hutchinson has signed on with the Chiefs for next year(unsure of contract length) and sounds like may be joining Waikato too.

ACL was done in club rugby at the back end of the season so won’t be seen until next year.

[Bovidae]

Hutchinson would just provide some depth in the outside backs. I still want to see ENS at fullback.

[Fredsaua12]

@Landers92 Yeah he's certainly signed with Chiefs a few months back. I haven't heard the Waikato info but he was set to play for Canterbury this season before he did his ACL.

[Landers92]

@Fredsaua12 sounds like Waikato want him from next year on when his contract is up. Whether he chooses is anyone’s guess at the moment.

[Bovidae]

I hope that the Chiefs are having discussions with Frank Vaenuku, but maybe he is happy to bide his time with sevens at the moment given his age.

[cliff]

@Bovidae do we have the space for another winger assuming hutchinson replaces trask and tamoefolau replaces stevenson perhaps vaenuku could replace liam coombes fabling

[cliff]

Am tired of losing potential prospects to the crusaders

[Bovidae]

@cliff It will depend on what the breakdown is for the backs. Is Foketi just a 1-year replacement for ALB? Then there could also be another contract available to replace Poihipi. Four midfield backs could be enough with cover from Narawa/Carter.

[Crazy Horse]

@cliff said in Chiefs 2026:

Am tired of losing potential prospects to the crusaders

A few good ones have gone the other way.

[Grooter]

@Crazy-Horse too right Big Brodie currently in the ABs just 1 example

[cliff]

We dont have the luck especially when it comes to openside flankers kirifi, lasaqa ollie mathis are some of the examples of players who came from chiefs region and signed up elsewhere

[SouthernMann]

ENS to head off-shore

All Blacks Sevens star Etene Nanai-Seturo poised for European move

A Top 14 club is chasing his signature after losing two speedsters at the end of last season.

[Nepia]

@SouthernMann said in Chiefs 2026:

ENS to head off-shore

All Blacks Sevens star Etene Nanai-Seturo poised for European move

A Top 14 club is chasing his signature after losing two speedsters at the end of last season.

That's a bummer, but I guess he sees the AB door as being locked. I thought he might switch to the Warriors/NRL.

[Bovidae]

If this ends up being true, Taumoefolau would be a good chance of starting at fullback. This also means that Tepaea Cook-Savage would be a great addition to the squad (covers 10, 15 and wing).

[cliff]

Hopefully this creates space for frank vaenuku

[Bones]

That sucks

[Yeetyaah]

Alyse Sharpe  /  Aug 24

Chiefs Rugby Club Announce New Logo for 30th Year - Chiefs

The Chiefs Rugby Club have released a commemorative logo to celebrate 30 years of Chiefs Rugby. The logo has deep meaning for the club and will be embedded across playing […]

[ARHS]

Bugger, wish they could have spent that money trying to retain players and get Oli Mathis.

[gt12]

@ARHS said in Chiefs 2026:

Bugger, wish they could have spent that money trying to retain players and get Oli Mathis.

It's not mutually exclusive, but I agree with the sentiment.

I personally think that the error was made last year though, they should have signed Mathis right away. Once he got a chance with the Saders, it's easy to understand why he would stay, especially as the path to the 7 jersey looks easier there.

[Bovidae]

So who are we still needing to replace?

Ross
Slater
Selby-Rickit
Tupou
M Wrampling
Trask?
Poihipi

There are a few others who may also be moved on like Tahuriorangi and Coombes-Fabling, and questions over Jacomb and Nanai-Seturo. That would mean more ins/outs than in previous years.