Chiefs 2026
-
@Bovidae “We’ve had constructive discussions with the Chiefs around potential early release scenarios.
“They’ve invested significantly in Josh’s development, and it’s understandable that they would want to retain a player of his calibre.
“There remains a possibility that Josh could join the Highlanders in 2026 if the Chiefs are amenable to that. We’re continuing to explore those avenues.”
“We remain committed to supporting Josh in his journey and will continue working with all parties to find the best outcome.”
Now that I re-read this, would seem like there is a bit of negotiation around players going on. Part of me wonders, could it genuinely be the Highlanders back off and allow them to sign Muliaina.
Personally I'd do that deal. No guarantees that Muliaina reaches the level Jacomb is now.
-
@frugby said in Chiefs 2026:
@Bovidae “We’ve had constructive discussions with the Chiefs around potential early release scenarios.
“They’ve invested significantly in Josh’s development, and it’s understandable that they would want to retain a player of his calibre.
“There remains a possibility that Josh could join the Highlanders in 2026 if the Chiefs are amenable to that. We’re continuing to explore those avenues.”
“We remain committed to supporting Josh in his journey and will continue working with all parties to find the best outcome.”
**Now that I re-read this, would seem like there is a bit of negotiation around players going on. Part of me wonders, could it genuinely be the Highlanders back off and allow them to sign Muliaina.
Personally I'd do that deal. No guarantees that Muliaina reaches the level Jacomb is now.**
Absolutely not.
The kid is 18. We cannot go flogging off one of our most talented guys to get someone a year early. It also doesn't solve their issue of wanting someone to be Super ready. Jacomb is with us through to 28 (at this stage) Mika Muliaina will only just be turning 21 then.
If they are after a back up 10. Millar is the guy to go.
-
@SouthernMann said in Chiefs 2026:
@frugby said in Chiefs 2026:
@Bovidae “We’ve had constructive discussions with the Chiefs around potential early release scenarios.
“They’ve invested significantly in Josh’s development, and it’s understandable that they would want to retain a player of his calibre.
“There remains a possibility that Josh could join the Highlanders in 2026 if the Chiefs are amenable to that. We’re continuing to explore those avenues.”
“We remain committed to supporting Josh in his journey and will continue working with all parties to find the best outcome.”
**Now that I re-read this, would seem like there is a bit of negotiation around players going on. Part of me wonders, could it genuinely be the Highlanders back off and allow them to sign Muliaina.
Personally I'd do that deal. No guarantees that Muliaina reaches the level Jacomb is now.**
Absolutely not.
The kid is 18. We cannot go flogging off one of our most talented guys to get someone a year early. It also doesn't solve their issue of wanting someone to be Super ready. Jacomb is with us through to 28 (at this stage) Mika Muliaina will only just be turning 21 then.
If they are after a back up 10. Millar is the guy to go.
I am going to be real. If Muliaina was from any other province, he hasn't yet had an NPC debut, and he is just another promising U20 player.
The fact he has played NPC already says more about Southland then it does about current ability.
FWIW, I doubt that this is the situation, but I am tempering any expectations about Muliaina, until he either a) Plays Super Rugby or b) Guides a winning NPC side around.
-
@frugby said in Chiefs 2026:
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:
Trask is definitely going to Japan (replaced by Tepaea Cook-Savage), and Cashmore will be Godfrey's injury replacement at the Hurricanes. It means that the Chiefs will be reluctant to release Jacomb early.
It could be totally wrong here, but given Trask has been down to leave for a while, and Jacomb has clearly been negotiating with the Highlanders for a while, if the Chiefs thought Cashmore was any good, would they not have locked him in?
Feels like a case of fans rating him more than coaches?
Cashmore can be variable in the quality of his tactical kicking for BOP. Lots of flair and promise, but not reliable enough yet at super level in my view.
-
-
@frugby said in Chiefs 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Chiefs 2026:
@frugby said in Chiefs 2026:
@Bovidae “We’ve had constructive discussions with the Chiefs around potential early release scenarios.
“They’ve invested significantly in Josh’s development, and it’s understandable that they would want to retain a player of his calibre.
“There remains a possibility that Josh could join the Highlanders in 2026 if the Chiefs are amenable to that. We’re continuing to explore those avenues.”
“We remain committed to supporting Josh in his journey and will continue working with all parties to find the best outcome.”
**Now that I re-read this, would seem like there is a bit of negotiation around players going on. Part of me wonders, could it genuinely be the Highlanders back off and allow them to sign Muliaina.
Personally I'd do that deal. No guarantees that Muliaina reaches the level Jacomb is now.**
Absolutely not.
The kid is 18. We cannot go flogging off one of our most talented guys to get someone a year early. It also doesn't solve their issue of wanting someone to be Super ready. Jacomb is with us through to 28 (at this stage) Mika Muliaina will only just be turning 21 then.
If they are after a back up 10. Millar is the guy to go.
I am going to be real. If Muliaina was from any other province, he hasn't yet had an NPC debut, and he is just another promising U20 player.
The fact he has played NPC already says more about Southland then it does about current ability.
FWIW, I doubt that this is the situation, but I am tempering any expectations about Muliaina, until he either a) Plays Super Rugby or b) Guides a winning NPC side around.
I'll also be real.
He is the most promising U20s player we have in region.
He can take on the line, beat defenders and is the right age to be developing nicely into a Super quality player over the next couple of years. He still has two years left as an U20s player.
He does not solve the Chief's problem of wanting a back up 10 next year.
Millar is the guy who makes sense to offer the Chiefs. He can fill the void they need. Just not to the level Jacomb can.
-
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:
I wasn't suggesting that Muliana was going to be DMac's backup, just that the Chiefs would be reluctant to give up Jacomb and not get anything in return.
He could combine with the likely 2025 NZ U20 halfback (Sinton) and 2nd 5 (Wiseman) though.
He can also work towards combining with his 2025 Highlanders U20s halfback Dylan Pledger.
-
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:
I wasn't suggesting that Muliana was going to be DMac's backup, just that the Chiefs would be reluctant to give up Jacomb and not get anything in return.
Yeah I think it's important that the Chiefs negotiate something that they want in return for an early release.
That could be a replacement for next year, a player with potential, a player in a completely different position or just cash
This isn't a situation where his current employer doesn't want him. The Chiefs and Jacomb made a commitment to each other and there should be a cost. If the cost is too high for the Highlanders to pay, that's their decision
-
@Bovidae lays it out well.
Give us your best young 10.
We’ll try to get a year or so out of Lima as a backup if we can - the key issue here is that the Chiefs likely know that once Mo’unga is back, Dmac is one missed AB selection from going overseas.
We are worried about 2028 and beyond. Jacob could be an AB with a 5-6 runway at that time.
-
@SouthernMann said in Chiefs 2026:
@frugby said in Chiefs 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Chiefs 2026:
@frugby said in Chiefs 2026:
@Bovidae “We’ve had constructive discussions with the Chiefs around potential early release scenarios.
“They’ve invested significantly in Josh’s development, and it’s understandable that they would want to retain a player of his calibre.
“There remains a possibility that Josh could join the Highlanders in 2026 if the Chiefs are amenable to that. We’re continuing to explore those avenues.”
“We remain committed to supporting Josh in his journey and will continue working with all parties to find the best outcome.”
**Now that I re-read this, would seem like there is a bit of negotiation around players going on. Part of me wonders, could it genuinely be the Highlanders back off and allow them to sign Muliaina.
Personally I'd do that deal. No guarantees that Muliaina reaches the level Jacomb is now.**
Absolutely not.
The kid is 18. We cannot go flogging off one of our most talented guys to get someone a year early. It also doesn't solve their issue of wanting someone to be Super ready. Jacomb is with us through to 28 (at this stage) Mika Muliaina will only just be turning 21 then.
If they are after a back up 10. Millar is the guy to go.
I am going to be real. If Muliaina was from any other province, he hasn't yet had an NPC debut, and he is just another promising U20 player.
The fact he has played NPC already says more about Southland then it does about current ability.
FWIW, I doubt that this is the situation, but I am tempering any expectations about Muliaina, until he either a) Plays Super Rugby or b) Guides a winning NPC side around.
I'll also be real.
He is the most promising U20s player we have in region.
He can take on the line, beat defenders and is the right age to be developing nicely into a Super quality player over the next couple of years. He still has two years left as an U20s player.
He does not solve the Chief's problem of wanting a back up 10 next year.
Millar is the guy who makes sense to offer the Chiefs. He can fill the void they need. Just not to the level Jacomb can.
I can see why you’d want to offer us an inferior player, but he is so far from Chiefs rugby he may as well be a soccer player.
-
@ARHS said in Chiefs 2026:
Millar doesn't really match the Chiefs style of play.
In my eyes this whole Jacomb saga is a direct result of the fixation for Richie Mounga to come back. Chiefs would be daft to cave right in.Reihana and Kemara could both play Chiefs rugby...
-
@reprobate said in Chiefs 2026:
@ARHS said in Chiefs 2026:
Millar doesn't really match the Chiefs style of play.
In my eyes this whole Jacomb saga is a direct result of the fixation for Richie Mounga to come back. Chiefs would be daft to cave right in.Reihana and Kemara could both play Chiefs rugby...
Know they've been in Chiefs territory before so maybe they wouldn't return but you would think the Crusaders don't really benefit from having two young guys who both still need quite a bit of development. Complicated though by O'Connor leaving.
You would think there'd have to be a couple of older guys getting contracts for next year, either your Sopoagas etc who have played NPC or maybe a couple of guys from Japan.
-
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Chiefs 2026:
@frugby said in Chiefs 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Chiefs 2026:
@frugby said in Chiefs 2026:
@Bovidae “We’ve had constructive discussions with the Chiefs around potential early release scenarios.
“They’ve invested significantly in Josh’s development, and it’s understandable that they would want to retain a player of his calibre.
“There remains a possibility that Josh could join the Highlanders in 2026 if the Chiefs are amenable to that. We’re continuing to explore those avenues.”
“We remain committed to supporting Josh in his journey and will continue working with all parties to find the best outcome.”
**Now that I re-read this, would seem like there is a bit of negotiation around players going on. Part of me wonders, could it genuinely be the Highlanders back off and allow them to sign Muliaina.
Personally I'd do that deal. No guarantees that Muliaina reaches the level Jacomb is now.**
Absolutely not.
The kid is 18. We cannot go flogging off one of our most talented guys to get someone a year early. It also doesn't solve their issue of wanting someone to be Super ready. Jacomb is with us through to 28 (at this stage) Mika Muliaina will only just be turning 21 then.
If they are after a back up 10. Millar is the guy to go.
I am going to be real. If Muliaina was from any other province, he hasn't yet had an NPC debut, and he is just another promising U20 player.
The fact he has played NPC already says more about Southland then it does about current ability.
FWIW, I doubt that this is the situation, but I am tempering any expectations about Muliaina, until he either a) Plays Super Rugby or b) Guides a winning NPC side around.
I can see why you’d want to offer us an inferior player, but he is so far from Chiefs rugby he may as well be a soccer player.
At 1st I thought this was harsh on Cam but I think I get what you're saying, for instance God bless Ma'a Nonu he just didn't suit our landers rugby yet a guy like Richard Buckman did. Millar is a capable 10 but you're right just can't see him at Fmg stadium, Finn Hurley should be a top target he's made for Chiefs rugby he's the lovechild of Mckenzie & Tim Nanai Williams
-
@Grooter said in Chiefs 2026:
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Chiefs 2026:
@frugby said in Chiefs 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Chiefs 2026:
@frugby said in Chiefs 2026:
@Bovidae “We’ve had constructive discussions with the Chiefs around potential early release scenarios.
“They’ve invested significantly in Josh’s development, and it’s understandable that they would want to retain a player of his calibre.
“There remains a possibility that Josh could join the Highlanders in 2026 if the Chiefs are amenable to that. We’re continuing to explore those avenues.”
“We remain committed to supporting Josh in his journey and will continue working with all parties to find the best outcome.”
**Now that I re-read this, would seem like there is a bit of negotiation around players going on. Part of me wonders, could it genuinely be the Highlanders back off and allow them to sign Muliaina.
Personally I'd do that deal. No guarantees that Muliaina reaches the level Jacomb is now.**
Absolutely not.
The kid is 18. We cannot go flogging off one of our most talented guys to get someone a year early. It also doesn't solve their issue of wanting someone to be Super ready. Jacomb is with us through to 28 (at this stage) Mika Muliaina will only just be turning 21 then.
If they are after a back up 10. Millar is the guy to go.
I am going to be real. If Muliaina was from any other province, he hasn't yet had an NPC debut, and he is just another promising U20 player.
The fact he has played NPC already says more about Southland then it does about current ability.
FWIW, I doubt that this is the situation, but I am tempering any expectations about Muliaina, until he either a) Plays Super Rugby or b) Guides a winning NPC side around.
I can see why you’d want to offer us an inferior player, but he is so far from Chiefs rugby he may as well be a soccer player.
At 1st I thought this was harsh on Cam but I think I get what you're saying, for instance God bless Ma'a Nonu he just didn't suit our landers rugby yet a guy like Richard Buckman did. Millar is a capable 10 but you're right just can't see him at Fmg stadium, Finn Hurley should be a top target he's made for Chiefs rugby he's the lovechild of Mckenzie & Tim Nanai Williams
The Chiefs have plenty of talent without needing to nab Hurley. He is our little bouncy ball. Looking at the video that popped up of him yesterday. He looks jacked.
-
-
@cliff said in Chiefs 2026:
I assume we will need to replace malachi wrampling assuming jayden sa replaces selby reckitt
Has it been confirmed Wrampling is leaving? Disappointing if he is.
-
@Crazy-Horse said in Chiefs 2026:
@cliff said in Chiefs 2026:
I assume we will need to replace malachi wrampling assuming jayden sa replaces selby reckitt
Has it been confirmed Wrampling is leaving? Disappointing if he is.
Off to the Blues
The Waikato Times
