Chiefs reveal eight new signings in 2024 squad announcement

Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan confirmed their 38-man squad to contest the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific competition.

All told the Chiefs have brought in eight new signings including players called up to Super Rugby for the first time.

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CHIEFS REVEAL EIGHT NEW SIGNINGS

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There are nine current All Blacks featured in the refreshed side, along with eight new signings (seven of them rookies) and two familiar faces that make a return to the Chiefs. Flyhalf Kaleb Trask returns following his sabbatical season in Japan, and prop Reuben O’Neill is also back at the Chiefs.

New recruit Jimmy Tupou will bring much experience, having run out for 54 Super Rugby games with Crusaders and Blues on top of his last five seasons in Japan.

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In contrast to this experience, props Kauvaka Kaivelata and Sione Ahio, loose forwards Malachi Wrampling-Alec, Tom Florence and Wallace Sititi, midfielder Daniel Rona, and utility back Liam Coombes-Fabling earn their first full-time contracts for the 2024 season.

“These guys have been knocking on our door for a while now and we are excited to offer them a place this year. They have been impressive throughout NPC and during their time in our environment, so rightly earn their spot within our squad,” said Gallagher Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan.

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“It’s a new look squad for us but despite the changes, there remains a lot of continuity within this group. They are familiar with our environment, know how we do things, and bring a lot to the table.”

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Ahio is the only rookie named in the squad who is yet to be capped by the Chiefs. 

He will be joined by Chiefs Development XV players Kaivelata and Sititi, and New Zealand U20 and University of Waikato Chiefs U20s standout Wrampling-Alec in injecting the verve of youth into the pack.

Florence and Coombes-Fabling are no strangers to playing in Super Rugby as former injury replacement players for the Highlanders and Chiefs. Likewise, Rona made the most of his time as an injury replacement this season to nail down a spot.

“Despite losing some experienced players, we have spent the last couple of years building the depth of our squad in anticipation for these departures. We have a lot of belief in the men we have selected and are looking forward with anticipation to seeing them take their opportunity in the new year.

“We’ll be putting in the work over summer and can’t wait to kick off the season at home in front of our loyal fans,” said McMillan.

THE 2024 GALLAGHER CHIEFS SQUAD

Sione Ahio (Auckland, 0)

Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Bay of Plenty, 49)

Kaylum Boshier (Taranaki, 17)

Liam Coombes-Fabling (Waikato, 4)

George Dyer (Waikato, 21)

Samipeni Finau (Waikato, 32)

Tom Florence (Taranaki, 3)

Josh Ioane (Waikato, 17)

Luke Jacobson (Waikato, 63)

Kauvaka Kaivelata (Counties Manukau, 0)

Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato, 106)

Josh Lord (Taranaki, 19)

Peniasi Malimali (Counties Manukau, 3)

Damian McKenzie (Waikato, 111)

Etene Nanai-Seturo (Counties Manukau, 44)

Emoni Narawa (Bay of Plenty, 29)

Ollie Norris (Waikato, 45)

Reuben O’Neill (Taranaki, 15)

Simon Parker (Waikato, 8)

Rameka Poihipi (Canterbury, 30)

Jared Proffit (Taranaki, 4)

Cortez Ratima (Waikato, 26)

Xavier Roe (Waikato, 17)

Daniel Rona (Taranaki, 9)

Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty, 74)

Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Bay of Plenty, 5)

Wallace Sititi (North Harbour, 0)

Bradley Slater (Taranaki, 49)

Shaun Stevenson (North Harbour, 84)

Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Bay of Plenty, 50)

Samisoni Taukei’aho (Waikato, 78)

Tyrone Thompson (Hawkes Bay, 15)

Kaleb Trask (Bay of Plenty, 23)

Quinn Tupaea (Waikato, 34)

Jimmy Tupou (Counties Manukau, 0)

Tupou Vaa’i (Taranaki, 44)

Gideon Wrampling (Waikato, 2)

Malachi Wrampling-Alec (Waikato, 0)