Chiefs Land All Blacks XV Hooker Brodie McAlister
The Chiefs have been able to lure All Blacks XV hooker Brodie McAlister to Hamilton with a promise of greater game time.
Greater Opportunities for McAlister After Crusaders Stint
McAlister was likely to struggle for minutes at the Crusaders, where he had All Blacks Codie Taylor and George Bell in front of him.
McAlister’s Experience a Valuable Addition for the Chiefs
McAlister, boasting 40 appearances and multiple Super Rugby Pacific titles, is a strong acquisition for last year’s beaten finalists.
McAlister to Compete for No. 2 Jersey Amid Taukei’aho’s Recovery
He replaces NRL-bound hooker Tyrone Thompson but could challenge Bradley Slater for the No. 2 jersey while All Black Samisoni Taukei’aho continues his recovery from a long-term injury.
Taukei’aho is expected to miss the start of the 2025 campaign after rupturing his Achilles in last season’s semifinal win over the Hurricanes.
Stability Key for Chiefs with Minimal Squad Changes
With few alterations to the line up that reached the final against the Blues, stability is a central theme for the Chiefs squad.
Josh Jacomb Provides Strong Backup in First Five-Eighth Position
The emergence of young first five-eighth Josh Jacomb offsets the loss of Josh Ioane and gives the Chiefs another quality back-up behind star No. 10 Damian McKenzie.
Leroy Carter’s Versatility to Add Depth in the Backs
Leroy Carter will be one to watch. The versatile Bay of Plenty back played for the All Blacks Sevens team at the Paris Olympics and can cover halfback and wing.
Jahrome Brown Returns, Joined by Promoted Lock Fiti Sa
Returning home after a six-year stint with the Brumbies, former Waikato flanker Jahrome Brown is joined by 21-year-old lock Fiti Sa, who has been promoted from a development contract.
2025 Chiefs Squad Roster
Props: Sione Ahio, George Dyer, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Jared Proffit, Aidan Ross
Hookers: Brodie McAlister, Bradley Slater, Samisoni Taukei’aho
Locks: Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Fiti Sa, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jimmy Tupou, Tupou Vaa’i
Loose forwards: Kaylum Boshier, Jahrome Brown, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Malachi Wrampling
Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima, Xavier Roe, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
First five-eighths: Josh Jacomb, Damian McKenzie, Kaleb Trask
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Gideon Wrampling
Outside backs: Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Ins: Brodie McAlister, Fiti Sa, Jahrome Brown, Leroy Carter
Outs: Kauvaka Kaivelata, Tyrone Thompson, Tom Florence, Josh Ioane, Peniasi Malimali
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