Chiefs 2025

[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.

[ARHS]

Is Taukeiaho expected to be missing short term or long term? I was hoping the former

[ARHS]

Wondering if Reon Paul and Joe Johnston get gigs at other franchises too.

[Bovidae]

@ARHS

This was what I posted last month from the newspaper, and an interview with McMillan.

Injured All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho will not likely be seen back on the park until several rounds into the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.

[Bovidae]

As for the Chiefs, I think that the only positions to fill are hooker (need two) and wing, assuming Malimali and Coombes-Fabling aren't back. You would hope that there would be an upgrade in the outside back cover. Cody Vai would be a good option for one of those positions if he joins the sevens exodus. It's not much point signing a winger like Moses Leo for one year.

The only players from the 2024 squad definitely confirmed to have left are Thompson, Florence, Ioane and Kaivelata. One less prop allows for more wing/fullback cover. Selby-Rickit is off-contract but you would have to assume he has been re-signed. The same for Roe and Tahuriorangi.

No announced signings for a month, and I doubt we'll see any before next Tuesday.

[cliff]

@Bovidae I assume Leroy Carter takes one wing spot

[Bovidae]

I've got:
Emoni Narawa
Etene Nanai-Seturo
Shaun Stevenson
Leroy Carter
Peniasi Malimali (or replacement)
Liam Coombes-Fabling (or replacement)

Josh Gray started ahead of Malimali at CM, so another option. He was in the Chiefs Dev team.

[ARHS]

Reon Paul looks OK as wing or centre.

[cliff]

Will Ollie Mathis get a spot or he is still one year away I was very underwhelmed by kaylum boshier