Another All Blacks Sevens flyer and new star playmaker headline 2027 Chiefs squad

The Chiefs have named 12 uncapped players in their 2027 squad, including a handful of unannounced new additions.

The club’s front-row stocks have 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 the Highlanders to join his younger brother, Anton, in Hamilton.

Jai Knight has been added to one of, if not the deepest second row cohorts in Super Rugby Pacific, while back-to-back NPC champion openside flanker Corey Kellow has shifted north from the Crusaders. The same four hookers have been named as last year, although Tyrone Thompson is expected to miss the entire 2027 season through 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 backline, New Zealand U20 standout Charlie Sinton has earned his professional call-up at just 19 years of age, replacing Xavier Roe in the halfback group. Perhaps the Chiefs’ headline signing of the offseason is Taha Kemara, who returns home to join Damian McKenzie in the first five-eighth unit after the departure of Josh Jacomb. Anton Lienert-Brown returns from his 2026 sabbatical, as Lalakai Foketi’s one-season spell at the club ends.

Recent New Zealand U20 graduate Frank Vaenuku will join the Chiefs after an impressive stint with the  All Blacks Sevens, where he earned himself the nickname ‘Frank the Tank’. His arrival helps offset the departures of Etene 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 been developing within 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.”

The 2027 Chiefs squad

PROPS
George Dyer (69)
Paula Latu* (0)
Daniel Lienert-Brown* (0)
Tevita Mafileo (7)
Ollie Norris (81)
Jared Proffit (37)

HOOKERS
Taine Kolose (0)
Brodie McAlister (23)
Samisoni Taukei’aho (121)
Tyrone Thompson** (31)

LOCKS
Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi (94)
Jai Knight* (0)
Josh Lord (46)
Fiti Sa (6)
Jayden Sa (0)
Tupou Vaa’i (88)
Aisake Vakasiuola (0)

LOOSIES
Kaylum Boshier (49)
Jahrome Brown (14)
Luke Jacobson (106)
Corey Kellow* (0)
Simon Parker (50)
Wallace Sititi (29)

HALFBACKS
Richard Judd* (0)
Cortez Ratima (74)
Charlie Sinton* (0)

INSIDE BACKS
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 BACKS
Leroy Carter (26)
Isaac Hutchinson (6)
Emoni Narawa (54)
Daniel Sinkinson (5)
Kyren Taumoefolau (13)
Frank Vaenuku* (0)

Brackets denote Chiefs Caps
* Denotes Chiefs Rookie
** Contracted but unavailable for 2027 due to injury