Chiefs 2026
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Samisoni Taukei’aho has done a U-turn on his plan to skip the start of the Super Rugby Pacific season, coming to the rescue for new coach Jono Gibbes after an injury to fellow All Black Brodie McAlister left the Chiefs with a hooker crisis going into their campaign. As reported by the Waikato Times in December, Taukei’aho, the 28-year-old 43-test rep, had been scheduled to sit out the first two rounds of the competition, which kicks off next weekend, as part of a late-start clause in his New Zealand Rugby contract.
The summary is that Tyrone Thompson has a calf injury, Taine Kolose has a knee injury, and Brodie McAlister broke his hand in training last week so is out for the first 2-3 rounds. JJ Pokai or Sione Tupou will be the reserve hooker.
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@Bovidae is Sean Ralph still playing in the waikato ? He seemed promising a few years back but had been leapfrogged by some of the others you mention
@Kiwidom said in Chiefs 2026:
@Bovidae is Sean Ralph still playing in the waikato ? He seemed promising a few years back but had been leapfrogged by some of the others you mention
Ralph is a Waikato contracted player. He played in MLR in the last couple of seasons. He isn't a big hooker, which might be his disadvantage for SR.
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On Sunday the Chiefs indicated Foketi (knee) was hoping to be back for round three.
That would mean Rona and K Brown as the starting midfield unless Tupaea is available. Reon Paul might get on the bench as he can cover midfield and wing. Narawa is another backup option.
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@Bovidae is that one extra year for Carter? Thought he was signed til the end of next year already.
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Something new the Chiefs are doing.
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Something new the Chiefs are doing.
@mikedogz said in Chiefs 2026:
Something new the Chiefs are doing.
Very nice. Basically an old boys and girls network.
Love the stats section.
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No one can say that Gibbes isn't being honest with his comments about Jacomb leaving after this season.
Probably not delivered in the smartest way. If I was Jacomb or people close to him I'd be pissed off.
*“My goal is to make him regret his decision every day,” he said. “That he loves the Chiefs, he loves the environment, he’s getting awesome coaching.
“If I can put him in doubt over his decision – because we rate him, we really like where he’s at with his game, I really like the person – I want to put positive pressure on him, that way.”*
It is quite a pointed go at a guy still in his playing group. Who has, whether Gibbes likes it or not, made a decision for his future.
The line about positive pressure seems weird. Jacomb is under contract for 27&28. Just like how the Chiefs didn't release him to us. We won't back our because of coach Jono's 'positive' pressure.
There could have been a much better way of explaining it without being clearly critical of a member of his playing group.
The narrative was clearly negative and reflected frustration. A reporter would have heard that as a banger of a quote.
A more neutral one would have been something like.
"It was disappointing last year to learn Josh will be moving on.
"We have invested in him a lot and he has been with us since his time in the U20s side.
"Our goal this year is to ensure he has fond memories of his last year with us. You never know what might happen in the future."
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No one can say that Gibbes isn't being honest with his comments about Jacomb leaving after this season.
Probably not delivered in the smartest way. If I was Jacomb or people close to him I'd be pissed off.
*“My goal is to make him regret his decision every day,” he said. “That he loves the Chiefs, he loves the environment, he’s getting awesome coaching.
“If I can put him in doubt over his decision – because we rate him, we really like where he’s at with his game, I really like the person – I want to put positive pressure on him, that way.”*
It is quite a pointed go at a guy still in his playing group. Who has, whether Gibbes likes it or not, made a decision for his future.
The line about positive pressure seems weird. Jacomb is under contract for 27&28. Just like how the Chiefs didn't release him to us. We won't back our because of coach Jono's 'positive' pressure.
There could have been a much better way of explaining it without being clearly critical of a member of his playing group.
The narrative was clearly negative and reflected frustration. A reporter would have heard that as a banger of a quote.
A more neutral one would have been something like.
"It was disappointing last year to learn Josh will be moving on.
"We have invested in him a lot and he has been with us since his time in the U20s side.
"Our goal this year is to ensure he has fond memories of his last year with us. You never know what might happen in the future."
@SouthernMann ????? How do you make that conclusion? I would have thought that making him happy and feeling valued was the best way to go. And I hope most Chiefs fans feel that way.
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Yeah I would argue that Gibbe's comments are actually considerably more positive than your alternative suggestion @southernmann.
@Mr-Fish said in Chiefs 2026:
Yeah I would argue that Gibbe's comments are actually considerably more positive than your alternative suggestion @southernmann.
I eead it as he is wanting to out pressure on him to stay to the point of withdrawing himself from a future contract.
We all read things differently.
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@southernmann funny and interesting take from that article. doubly so considering you were wanting him to break his contract with the chiefs
@ploughboy said in Chiefs 2026:
@southernmann funny and interesting take from that article. doubly so considering you were wanting him to break his contract with the chiefs
Which the Chiefs refused. Partly why I find it interesting Gibbes wants to put 'postive pressure' on him. Pressure generally creates an outcome. What is the outcome Gibbes is seeking?
