Chiefs 2026
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Chiefs HQ went quiet with their squad departures in recent weeks as they are only seem to be announcing news once the departing player's destination is released.
So far that is now:
Aidan Ross
Shaun Stevenson
Bradley Slater
Malachi Wrampling-AlecOther rumoured departures include Manaaki Selby-Rickit and Gideon Wrampling, while Jimmy Tupou will be off-contract unless he has re-signed. If Anton Lienert-Brown takes his sabbatical his replacement appears to be Lalakai Foketi.
So a LH prop, hooker, loose forward and outside back are needed as of now with potentially three other spots to fill. I expect the hooker to be Taine Kolose, and Stevenson's replacement to be Kyren Taumoefolau. There could be room for at least two new loose forwards, and one needs to be a young specialist 7 (no doubt who that should be). Ideally the LH prop needs to be a young player to develop, but maybe they will wait until after the NPC to decide (I've mentioned Mason Tupaea and Will Martin previously). It won't be Benet Kumeroa unless they convert him into a LH. Questions also over the future of Liam Coombes-Fabling as an upgrade is needed. I'd sign Frank Vaenuku but Dan Sinkinson is now available.
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@ploughboy said in Chiefs 2026:
hasnt it been on facebook selby -ricket off to japan?
Maybe he has but nothing official from the Chiefs.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:
@ploughboy said in Chiefs 2026:
hasnt it been on facebook selby -ricket off to japan?
Maybe he has but nothing official from the Chiefs.
yeah they have but I'm not clever enough to post here
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@ploughboy said in Chiefs 2026:
hasnt it been on facebook selby -ricket off to japan?
He has signed with Urayasu D-Rocks
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:
The commentators mentioned Vaenuku is still eligible for the U20s next year.
Most rugby stats websites state his birth date as September 7th 2005, so that would make him ineligible for the 2026 U20 season. Then again, there's a lot of misinformation on those sites as well, so who knows.
Agreed that the Chiefs should sign him, I imagine there'll be plenty of suitors for him after the tournament he's had.
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@cgrant said in Chiefs 2026:
Vakasueila would be a good choice as he has a high ceiling and an imposing physique.
Yes, he is a big unit and could be an option if the Chiefs want a fifth lock. Fiti Sa will get more opportunities in 2026 behind the main three (assuming Lord stays fit).
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The media release. A forward coach to be named.
Gallagher Chiefs Confirm Jono Gibbes as Head Coach - Chiefs
Chiefs Rugby Club have today confirmed the appointment of Jono Gibbes as Head Coach for the Gallagher Chiefs. A respected rugby leader with deep ties to the Chiefs region, Gibbes […]
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Confirmation:
All Black midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown, who has re-signed with NZ Rugby through to the end of 2028, won’t play for the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific next year. Lienert-Brown will activate an existing sabbatical clause in his NZ Rugby contract to join fellow All Black Ardie Savea at the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in the Japan League One competition. The pair will return to New Zealand at the conclusion of the Japanese season, and be available for the All Blacks’ July series.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:
An article on Stuff about ALB going to Kobe says that Gideon Wrampling will be back.
Jeez I hope this is true. He is one of the better young midfielders going round at the moment. A couple of disappointing moments for him this year but I think he has the physical attributes to go far. Jury is still out on the mental side though.
