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Luke Jacobson succeeds Sam Cane as captain of the Chiefs
The Chiefs will look to loose forward Luke Jacobson to lead the team in 2024, announcing Tuesday that the 26-year-old has been awarded captaincy.
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Jacobson will hold the role that last year was split between co-captains Brad Weber and Sam Cane.
With 63 Chiefs caps and 18 All Blacks Tests to his name, Jacobson will look to build off the career year he had in 2023, where he established himself as one of the finest loose forwards in Super Rugby Pacific.
Jacobson was recognised as a potential leader soon after making his Chiefs debut in 2018 according to coach Clayton McMillan.
“Luke has always been viewed as a future Chiefs Captain and is primed to make his presence felt in this key role,” he said. “He will have learned plenty following the deep footprints of some recent outstanding leaders but is his own man and will no doubt cut his own path.”
Two vice captains have also been named in Kaylum Boshier and Rameka Poihipi. Aged 24 and 25 respectively, the new leadership group looks primed for the future.
“It’s a little bit of a nod to the future but the general public won’t be aware of the influence that those guys have in our environment,” McMillan explained. “They’re highly respected players, they lead by example, they’re a little bit quieter but they’re really considered. When they talk, it’s usually to support or challenge and they’ve done that really well.
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“They’ve been the leading candidates in the absence of our All Blacks pre-Christmas so they’re fully deserving of their role.
“Then we know we’ve got some more established All Blacks and bigger personalities in the team that are going to add value anyway, so it’s about sharing the responsibility, leadership role.
“Those guys like Damian (McKenzie), Anton (Lienert-Brown), Samisoni (Taukei’aho), Tupou (Vaa’i), our All Blacks guys, they’ll all have roles in the team but we don’t want anyone to have to do any more than they need to.”
The coach wouldn’t confirm whether it would be the 7 or 8 jersey that his captain would be wearing this year, but was happy to have Jacobson back healthy – a factor that played into the team adopting co-captains in the past.
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“Luke is also no stranger to captaincy, having led the team with aplomb on several occasions over the last few years,” said McMillan.
“He epitomises the qualities we look for in a Chief, is highly respected by staff and peers, builds a good rapport with officials, whilst his playing ability speaks for itself. I can’t wait to see him flourish with this added responsibility.”
Jacobson expressed his excitement to be lead a team he has huge respect for.
“It’s not really a role I search for but one I’m bloody proud to fill. I’m looking forward to working with the team and doing everything we can to go that one step further this year.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments