Chiefs roll out new recruits for preseason Drua showdown

The Chiefs are in Mount Maunganui for their first preseason game against the Fijian Drua, and they’ve taken the opportunity to give promising young players game time.

Four of New Zealand’s best from the 2025 international U20 campaign are set to line up for the hosts, with a second row of Dylan Eti and Aisake Vakasiuola offering Chiefs fans a taste of what the club’s future holds in the engine room.  Powerful No. 8 Micah Fale will also have a chance to make his presence felt at the Super Rugby level for the first time, while Haki Wiseman brings pace on the right wing.

A couple of new recruits are also in line for their first minutes in Chiefs colours, with Wallaby Lalakai Foketi, Maori All Black Benet Kumeroa, ex-All Blacks Sevens flyer Tepaea Cook-Savage, and former Moana Pasifika star Kyren Taumoefolau all named in the 34-man gameday squad.

All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa’i has been cleared to play on a minutes restriction, having recovered from a knee injury sustained at the back end of last year’s Rugby Championship.

Fixture

Super Rugby Pacific

Blues

22:05

13 Feb 26

Chiefs

All Stats and Data

Chiefs matchday squad vs Fijian Drua

1. Reuben O’Neill
2. Sione Ahio
3. George Dyer
4. Dylan Eti
5. Aisake Vakasiuola
6. Michael Loft
7. Jahrome Brown
8. Micah Fale
9. Xavier Roe
10. Josh Jaomb
11. Liam Coombes-Fabling
12. Lalakai Foketi
13. AJ Alatimu
14. Haki Wiseman
15. Etene Nanai-Seturo

16. Sione Tupou
17. Benet Kumeroa
18. Tupou Vaa’i
19. Will Martin
20. Jai Knight
21. Kyle Brown
22. Adam Brash
23. Cohen Brady-Leathem
25. Kyren Taumoefolau
26. JJ Pokai
27. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
28. Kaylum Boshier
29. Marike Parker
Blank. Waisake Salabiau

9. Tamiro Armstrong
10. Tepaea Cook-Savage
15. Daniel Sinkinson
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
23. Cam Church