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The Bosses named 12 unrestricted players in his 2027 squad, including several unannounced new players.
The club’s front-row stock has been refreshed, with Tongan international Paula Latu joining from Moana Pasifika, Tevita Mafileo moving north from the Hurricanes and Daniel Lienert-Brown ending a 12-year career at Highlanders to join his younger brother Anton in Hamilton.
Jai Knight has been added to one of, if not the deepest, second-row cohort in Super Rugby Pacific, while back-to-back NPC openside champion Corey Kellow has moved north from the Crusaders. The same four backs as last year have been named, although Tyrone Thompson is expected to miss the entire 2027 season with injury, meaning head coach Jono Gibbes will have to call on a member of the wider training group – which will be named on Thursday.
in the last line, New Zealand U20 standout Charlie Sinton earned his professional call-up aged just 19, replacing Xavier Roe in the half-back group. Perhaps the Chiefs’ main offseason signing is Taha Kemar, who returns home to join Damian McKenzie in the starting five-eighth unit following the departure of Josh Jacomb. Anton Lienert-Brown returns from his sabbatical in 2026, when Lalakai Foketi’s one-season spell at the club comes to an end.
Recently New Zealand U20 graduate Frank Vaenuku will join the Chiefs after an impressive stint at All black people Weeks, where he earned the nickname ‘Frank the Tank’. His arrival helps make up for the departures of Etena Nanai-Seturo and Liam Coombes-Fabling.
“The players coming in are at different stages of their careers, and that’s a strength. Some bring experience from other Super Rugby teams, while others have developed on our pathways and are ready for their next challenge,” Gibbes said.
“We want them to bring what makes them different. They’re here to contribute, compete and help this group move forward.”
Chiefs 2027 team
PROPS
George Dyer (69)
Paula Latu* (0)
Daniel Lienert-Brown* (0)
Tevita Mafileo (7)
Ollie Norris (81)
Jared Proffitt (37)
HOOKERS
Taine Colossus (0)
Brodie McAlister (23)
Samison Taukei’aho (121)
Tyrone Thompson** (31)
LOCKS
Seuseu Naito Ah Kuoi (94)
Jai Knight* (0)
Josh Lord (46)
be his (6)
Jayden Sa (0)
Tupou Va’i (88)
Aisake Vakasiuola (0)
IN THE LOTTERY
Kaylum Boshier (49)
Jahrome Brown (14)
Luke Jacobson (106)
Corey Kellow* (0)
Simon Parker (50)
Wallace Street (29)
HALFBACKS
Richard Judd* (0)
Cortez Ratima (74)
Charlie Sinton* (0)
INNER BACK
Tepaea Cook-Savage (6)
Taha Kemara* (0)
Damian McKenzie (151)
MIDFIELD
Kyle Brown (11)
Anton Lienert-Brown (126)
Daniel Rona (45)
Quinn Tupaea (79)
OUTSIDE BACK
Leroy Carter (26)
Isaac Hutchinson (6)
Emoni Narawa (54)
Daniel Sinkinson (5)
Kyren Taumoefola (13)
Frank Vaenuku* (0)
Brackets indicate Chiefs Caps
* Denotes Chiefs Rookie
** Contracted but unavailable for 2027 due to injury