Chiefs 2026

[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 Tyrone Thompson
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
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

Strike through is confirmed leaving.
Confirmed signings in italic

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

[cliff]

@Yeetyaah i think foketi was confirmed , in that group i would be happy to get rid of coombes fabling replace him with vaenuku, tahuriorangi should replaced with sinton, replace boshier with a real openside am not so sure about kolose he seems to struggle with his lineout throwing

[Yeetyaah]

@cliff said in Chiefs 2026:

i think foketi was confirmed

Not officially from the Chiefs as of yet

[Bovidae]

By my count nine players are confirmed to be leaving so far, with some others who could also be replaced. More turnover of the squad than in recent years.

[Yeetyaah]

Wonder if Tyrone Thompson will return to union

[cliff]

@Yeetyaah there was also the isaac hutchinson rumuor perhaps to replace coombes fabling

[zedsdeadbaby]

Manasa Mataele has signed with the Drua.

[Yeetyaah]

@cliff true will chuck that one in

[cgrant]

Vakasiuola is more ready for SR then Eti IMO.

[Bovidae]

With only three NDC contracts available now, it will be interesting to see who they are. Jack Wiseman would have to be one. Some other possibilities are Bradley Tocker, David Lewai, Taniela Maisiri, or some of the NZS reps (e.g., Ollie Guerin, Jamie Viljoen, Hunter Weaver).

I would think that a player like Micah Fale, who had a 2025 NDC contract, will be with the wider squad.

[ploughboy]

@cgrant said in Chiefs 2026:

Vakasiuola is more ready for SR then Eti IMO.

vakasiuola is more physically ready nut eti might end up better if he can gain the kgs. cant see how we can keep both

[Yeetyaah]

Cook-Savage signing confirmed.