Injured All Black Luke Jacobson picks up coaching role on Chiefs tour

A young Chiefs squad has been named for the pre-season trip to Japan to play Sam Cane’s Suntory Sungoliath next weekend, and a surprising name has popped up in the coaching group for the tour.

Injured All Black Luke Jacobson has taken the opportunity to contribute to the next generation of Chiefs in what has been described as a “mentoring and coaching role” while he rehabs the elbow injury that ended his Test season during the Greatest Rivalry series.

The 29-year-old will help lead a squad packed with young talent, including two uncapped full squad members: lock Aisake Vakasiuola and halfback Charlie Sinton. Nine of the 12 members of the club’s 2027 wider training group have been selected for the trip.

The 26-man squad also features plenty of recent New Zealand U20 graduates, including the national team’s 2026 captain Haki Wiseman.

The Chiefs have confirmed the match will be livestreamed, but are yet to announce where.

Chiefs squad to play Sungoliath

Forwards
Kurene Luamanuvae
Thomas Polo
Taipari Quinn
Keightley Watson
JJ Pokai
Ian West-Stevens
Leo Ngatai-Tafau
Aisake Vakasiuola
Liam Anderson
Mosese Bason
Micah Fale
Scott Jury
Michael Loft