Chiefs 2026

[cliff]

@Crazy-Horse it was gideon wrampling who was rumuored to beeaving but he isnt

[Bovidae]

@cliff said in Chiefs 2026:

I assume we will need to replace malachi wrampling assuming jayden sa replaces selby reckitt

Jayden Sa could be the replacement for M Wrampling. He is too short to be a SR lock, more a 6. Jacob Norris also a chance.

I think they will have to select another lock with Tupou also leaving. Vakaisiuola or Eti to develop. Then I would want a 7.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:

with Tupou also leaving

Tupou Vaa'i is leaving???

[WoodysRFC]

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2026:

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:

with Tupou also leaving

Tupou Vaa'i is leaving???

Jimmy Tupou. I'd assumed Vakasiuola was the natural replacement.

[Yeetyaah]

@WoodysRFC haha that'll be it, panic stations for a minute there

[Bovidae]

Yeah, Jimmy Tupou. I don't think the Chiefs need to replace he and MSR with two other locks. One will be enough so that Fiti Sa gets some opportunities.

[cliff]

@Bovidae between vakasioula and eti who would you prefer

[Bovidae]

@cliff Vakaisiuola is more SR ready. Eti is like Jamie Hannah in that he needs to put 10-15 kg on his frame. @Steven-Harris said that Eti was being chased by two teams so there is a risk of losing him completely.

[Ghost678]

Gideon Wrampling confirmed off to Japan next season

[Bovidae]

It looks like both Wrampling and Trask are going to Tokyo Sungoliath. Lots of departures but not many arrivals have been announced.

[Yeetyaah]

Wtf Gideon also gone, strange when ALB is off surely he backs himself. Wonder where we go from here.

[Bovidae]

Only two of the five midfielders from this year will be back (Tupaea and Rona). They will be the starters but you need depth.

[Grooter]

Good news Chiefs fans judging by his instagram story your reserve 10 Josh Jacomb has finally conceeded he must return to Hamilton for one final year

[SouthernMann]

@Grooter said in Chiefs 2026:

Good news Chiefs fans judging by his instagram story your reserve 10 Josh Jacomb has finally conceeded he must return to Hamilton for one final year

Didn't look like the happiest of posts from his missus haha.

[cliff]

Gibson popoalii will be a good replacement

[Nepia]

@SouthernMann said in Chiefs 2026:

@Grooter said in Chiefs 2026:

Good news Chiefs fans judging by his instagram story your reserve 10 Josh Jacomb has finally conceeded he must return to Hamilton for one final year

Didn't look like the happiest of posts from his missus haha.

I couldn't find the original instagram story (TBF I barely know how to work the app) but found his missus' page. Got to give credit to Jacomb, he's massively fighting above his weight.

[Bovidae]

@cliff said in Chiefs 2026:

Gibson popoalii will be a good replacement

His chances have definitely improved. It would be well-deserved on NPC form.

If Meihana Grindlay is going to the Highlanders, I'm not too sure who else is available. Seamus Bardoul? I wouldn't be surprised to see Narawa spend some time at centre during the season.

It makes sense that Kyle Brown is a full contract.

[cliff]

@Bovidae kyle brown is a fantastic signing he is been a shining light for manawatu

[cliff]

@Bovidae perhaps the southland 12 peni could also be an option if he is not going to moana heard the chief were interested sometime back

[Yeetyaah]

Props
Sione Ahio
George Dyer
Ollie Norris
Reuben O'Neill
Jared Proffit
Aidan Ross Benet Kumeroa?

Hookers
Brodie McAlister
Bradley Slater Taine Kolose?
Samisoni Taukei'aho

Locks
Naitoa Ah Kuoi
Josh Lord
Fiti Sa
Manaaki Selby-Rickit Dylan Eti?
Jimmy Tupou Jayden Sa?
Tupou Vaa'i

Loose forwards
Kaylum Boshier (off contract)
Jahrome Brown
Samipeni Finau
Luke Jacobson (c)
Simon Parker
Wallace Sititi
Malachi Wrampling-Alec

Halfbacks
Cortez Ratima
Xavier Roe
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (off contract)

First fives
Josh Jacomb
Damian McKenzie
Kaleb Trask Tepaea Cook-Savage

Midfielders
Anton Lienert-Brown (sabbatical) Gibson Popoali'i?
Rameka Poihipi Lalakai Foketi (rumoured but not confirmed)
Daniel Rona
Quinn Tupaea
Gideon Wrampling Kyle Brown?

Outside backs
Leroy Carter
Liam Coombes-Fabling (off contract) Isaac Hutchinson
Etene Nanai-Seturo
Emoni Narawa
Shaun Stevenson Kyren Taumoefolau

NDC
Dylan Eti
Charlie Sinton
Micah Fale
Jayden Sa

REPLACEMENT
James Thompson
Adam Brash
Jacob Norris 
Joshua Gray
Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia
Tai Cribb
Leo Ngatai-Tafau
Oscar Koller

WIDER TRAINING
Benet Kumeroa
Taine Kolose
Peniasi Malimali
Manasa Mataele

Confirmed signings in italic

Let me know of any mistakes or extra rumours/signings to post.