mens
super-rugby-pacific
Bride Bosses team has been named for a preseason trip to Japan to play Suntory Sungoliath Sam Cane next weekend, and a surprising name has appeared in the coaching group for the tour.
Black’s injured Luke Jacobson has seized the opportunity to contribute to the next generation of bosses in what has been described as a “mentoring and coaching role” while nursing an elbow injury that ended his Test season during the Greatest Rivalry series.
The 29-year-old will help lead a squad full of young talent, including two unrestricted full-backs in lock Aisake Vakasiuola and halfback Charlie Sinton. Nine of the 12 members of the club’s wider training group for 2027 have been selected for the trip.
The 26-man squad also has plenty of recent additions New Zealand U20 graduates including 2026 national team captain Haki Wiseman.
Bosses have confirmed the game will be broadcast live, but have yet to announce where.
Boss’s team to play Sungoliath
Forward
Kurene Lumanuae
Thomas Polo
Taipari Quinn
Keightley Watson
JJ Pokai
Ian West-Stevens
Leo Ngatai-Tafau
Aisake Vakasiuola
Liam Anderson
Moses Basson
Micah Fale
Scott Jury
Michael Loft
The back
Albert Sogia
Jamie Viljoen
Rui Farrant
Charlie Sinton
Mike Naitokani
Nehemiah Su’a
Justice Wiseman
Ollie Guerin
Dallas Average-Makene
Noah Rogers
Nathan Stephens