Chiefs 2026

[Yeetyaah]

The Post

New Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes says it was “never a consideration” to grant Josh Jacomb an early release from his contract to join the Highlanders for 2026.

The highly-touted young playmaker last month signed with the southerners for the 2027 and 2028 Super Rugby Pacific seasons, but had since been working with his agent to try and negotiate for his fresh start at his new side to be able to come a year early.

However, the 24-year-old Auckland-born-and-raised Taranaki rep has been made to honour his deal with the Chiefs, named in their 38-man squad on Thursday, and set to feature big in their plans as the three-time reigning runners-up go about finally seeking a first title since 2013.

“We make roster decisions and succession plans, and 2026 we saw Josh being hugely important to us, and a big part of the jigsaw,” Gibbes told The Post.

“So, for us there was never a consideration that he’d be released early. We’ve seen his progression, and we know where he can go in 2026, and he can really help the Chiefs. So there was no discussion, to be honest.”

[frugby]

There's something fairly ironic about the Chiefs CEO having a crack at poaching whilst signing a fullback from Canterbury who was school in Christchurch... this being the same guy who was happy to bring in Brodie McAllister on an early release, but won't grant Josh Jacomb one.

Just make him come across like an arrogant ass.

[ploughboy]

McAllister was 3rd choice at crusaders and probably shopped himself around
but agree a bit of a hypocrite

[Bovidae]

Simon Graafuis' comments were too emotive but the situation is quite different. The Chiefs granted Angus Ta’avao an early release to go back to the Blues, so it's not like it has all been one-way traffic. Nepo Laulala might have left a year early as well.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae add Liam Squire to that as well, stones in glass houses from everyone.

[Bovidae]

GALLAGHER CHIEFS WIDER TRAINING GROUP 2026
AJ Alatimu, Counties Manukau
Cam Church, Counties Manukau
Cohen Brady-Leatham, Counties Manukau
Daniel Sinkinson, Waikato
Dylan Eti, Waikato
Jai Knight, Bay of Plenty
Josiah (JJ) Pokai, Taranaki
Keran Van Staden, Counties Manukau
Michael Loft, Taranaki
Reon Paul, Bay of Plenty
Tamiro Armstrong, Bay of Plenty
Will Martin, Waikato

[Bovidae]

The NDC players are:

Dane Johnston (Taranaki)
Charlie Sinton (BOP)
David Lewai (Waikato)

Very surprised that Jack Wiseman isn't one of these.

[ARHS]

Happy with that lot, but expected Wiseman in somewhere

[Bovidae]

Taranaki SM is saying that Wiseman is an AB replacement training player.

[cliff]

Happy to see reon paul there, showed alot of impact off the bench for bay of plenty

[Tim]

Gibbes said contracting four hookers was a decision based around losing loose forward Malachi Wrampling (Blues) and instead opting to strengthen an important specialist position.

The Post

[Bovidae]

That still seems like a strange selection decision. I would have strengthened the wingers as Hutchinson will be returning from an ACL, and Coombes-Fabling had knee/hamstring injuries this year too. I expect that Sinkinson will play a lot in the pre-season.

[gt12]

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:

That still seems like a strange selection decision. I would have strengthened the wingers as Hutchinson will be returning from an ACL, and Coombes-Fabling had knee/hamstring injuries this year too. I expect that Sinkinson will play a lot in the pre-season.

Why not just ship out LCF? Replace him with a young’un and we’d be looking much better.

[Bovidae]

@gt12 said in Chiefs 2026:

Why not just ship out LCF? Replace him with a young’un and we’d be looking much better.

We all expected LCF and TTT to be replaced, but they haven't been. I was hoping the Chiefs would include Frank Vaenuku but he must be happier playing for the AB7s at this stage of his career. A big, quick and physical winger would be a welcome addition.