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Bryn Gatland heads home as Chiefs also announce signing of promising young halfback
The Chiefs have today announced the signing of two key talents for next year’s Super Rugby campaign.
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First five Bryn Gatland and halfback Xavier Roe, who both spent their senior school years at Hamilton Boys’ High, were announced as key signings for a side that struggled at times throughout 2020.
21-year-old Roe, who earned two caps for Taranaki prior to this year, was a key cog in an excellent Waikato backline during this year’s Mitre 10 Cup. Gatland, meanwhile, was the competition’s top points scorer.
Gatland is also the son of current Chiefs coach Warren Gatland. Clayton McMillan will take the reins for 2021, however, while Gatland takes control of the British and Irish Lions in South Africa.
Bryn said he was looking forward to joining the Chiefs for the upcoming season.
“I’m really excited to pull on the Gallagher Chiefs jersey next year and return home to family and friends to where I grew up and started my rugby dream. It will be a special moment if I get to pull on the Gallagher Chiefs jersey, and if it happens, I will do what I can to add to the legacy that is behind the jersey and Club.”
Gatland made his Super Rugby debut against the Hurricanes for the Blues in 2017. Following two seasons with the Blues, Gatland headed south to the Highlanders following an impressive performance for the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in 2018.
McMillan said Gatland, who has signed a three-year deal with the Chiefs, is a welcome addition to the squad.
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“Bryn was an instrumental figure in a very combative North Harbour team this year. He has proven to be a calm tactician, astute goal kicker, and is not shy of standing up in clutch moments. We believe he will be an asset to our Gallagher Chiefs squad, and I look forward to watching him further develop his game in our environment.”
Roe also said he was looking forward to joining the Chiefs on a two-year contract.
“I am super stoked to be a part of the Gallagher Chiefs for the next two seasons. The Gallagher Chiefs has always been the team I’ve aspired to play for. I remember heading along to Chiefs home games when I was a little kid so to have the opportunity to put on the Gallagher Chiefs jersey is very special.
“I am looking forward to learning as much as I can off both Webby (Brad Weber) and Triple T (Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi), who have both achieved the highest honours in New Zealand Rugby, so I’m sure I’ll be able to learn a lot off them in the next couple of years.”
The Chiefs will announce their full squad on Thursday morning.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Good decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
29 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
29 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
29 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
19 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to comments