Chiefs 2025

[Mr Fish]

Sanirevi probably appeals given he already knows a lot of the Chiefs' systems. Otherwise a guy like Coltman or even Rhys Marshall (is he still running around somewhere?) wouldn't be a bad shout.

[gt12]

I don't have that much hope for this year (hard draw, we'll be missing ST for significant time), but if Rhys Marshall is the solution, we're in much deeper shit that I thought.

[frugby]

Considering the Blues have signed James Mullan, one would think Ioane Moananu has already been snapped up by either Moana Pasifika or the Chiefs?

[cgrant]

I would take Kolose. He is a big, hard carrying hooker. Throwing might be an issue but this could be worked on.

[Trig]

Kauvaka Kaivelata off to Japan

[Mr Fish]

@Trig said in Chiefs 2025:

Kauvaka Kaivelata off to Japan

That's a surprise!

[Bovidae]

Hmmm....maybe a similar deal to Trask to let him get more experience and regular game time before returning.

[Canes4life]

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2025:

I guess their choices will depend on whether they want another experienced hooker in the interim. There might be one from the Hurricanes region available (e.g., Kereru-Symes).

It puts a lot of pressure on Slater to stay injury-free.

The Hurricanes currently have Aumua, O'Reilly, Devery, Tuputupu and Bason, as well as Keruru-Symes. Aumua is the only one signed for 2025 so far so only a further two of them will get contracts for 2025. There are a few options at hooker.

[gt12]

Kobe Steelers, announcement here.

Seems to be only a one year contract. Nothing about going back to the Chiefs.

He is a 'B' category player so could become eligible for Japan.

His intro mentions 'new chapter'...

[Daffy Jaffy]

This info about an upcoming series arrived in a TVNZ+ email, in case you Chiefs fans weren't aware -

Taniwha Unleashed: Inside The Chiefs Rugby Club
For the first time, the mighty Waikato Chiefs let the cameras in for a unique behind the scenes look at the club that's a breeding ground for international rugby superstars including All Black Damian McKenzie and Black Fern Ruby Tui.

Full season available Thursday 28 November 8am on TVNZ+

[ARHS]

2 questions.

1. Taniwha????? Why that name?
2. Why on earth release it at this time - several months after the season has finished?

[Yeetyaah]

The worst part is that the blurb says "Waikato Chiefs" like they didn't drop that name in 1998

[Mr Fish]

I've seen some of the first episode, it was interesting. I think it will be a decent watch for die-hard Chiefs fans but not sure about the wider appeal. Always tough when the season doesn't end on a high note.

[Yeetyaah]

I'm hearing Brodie McAlister to the Chiefs.

[Chris]

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2025:

I'm hearing Brodie McAlister to the Chiefs.

He is signed with the Crusaders for 2025 unless the contract has been mutually terminated.

[Mr Fish]

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2025:

I'm hearing Brodie McAlister to the Chiefs.

Would be a huge signing for the Chiefs. A one-year temporary deal to cover for Taukei'aho's absence would make sense for both the Chiefs and Crusaders.

[Yeetyaah]

@Mr-Fish Taukei'aho is back next year, he'd purely be a bench option.

[Bovidae]

ST won't be fit by the start of SR so the Chiefs will need a hooker to be in the 23 each week along with Slater.

[ARHS]

I would rather have Kolose than McAlister

[Bovidae]

@ARHS said in Chiefs 2025:

I would rather have Kolose than McAlister

I'm not sure Kolose is ready to be a reserve each week. Kolose could still be the no.3 to develop.

If the McAlister rumour is true the Chiefs would have a SR-ready player to use. That said, I was underwhelmed with him against Munster, and he gave away some dumb penalties.