‘Making that kid proud’: Taha Kemara leaves Crusaders to chase Chiefs dream

Taha Kemara used to kick the ball around FMG Stadium Waikato as a Year 7 school student, hoping to one day pull on the Chiefs jersey and play at the venue. The first five-eighth has spent some time with the Crusaders, but is now set to realise that Chiefs dream in 2027.

The Chiefs had been teasing a significant contract announcement on social media, and the signing of Kemara on a one-year deal certainly fits the bill. Kemara is a New Zealand U20 and Maori All Blacks representative, who has been a key figure at the Crusaders for multiple seasons.

Kemara debuted at Super Rugby level on March 11, 2023, after being named on the Crusaders bench for a regular season clash with the Fijian Drua. The playmaker emerged as a regular starter the next season, before disaster struck by way of injury.

The 23-year-old returned to the Super Rugby Pacific field this season, again holding down the fort as a regular starting option alongside Rivez Reihana, leading the pair to both earn selection for a Maori All Blacks match against a Japan XV on June 27.

But after coming back to the North Island for another provincial season with Waikato, Kemara has decided to stay put in Hamilton for the Super Rugby season ahead. The Chiefs announced on Thursday the club’s 2022 U20s Player of the Year is coming home.

“It’s something that is really special to me” Kemara reflects. “When I was year 7 I used to come and kick a ball here by myself and picture playing at a packed out Waikato Stadium for the Chiefs. It’s about making that kid proud, making his dream come true.”

Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes added: “It ticks all the boxes for us with his quality, Super Rugby experience and values.

“Taha is a great young player with a good head on his shoulders. Wanting to be near family and continue to play the game that he loves is a strong foundation for any Chiefs player.”

Kemara was initially used as a replacement for the Crusaders last season, coming off the bench in a tough loss away to the Highlanders. But the young playmaker then stepped up as a regular member of the starting side, lining up at either first five-eighth or fullback.

Fast-forward to the provincial season and Waikato sit in fifth place on the ladder after five rounds, with Kemara helping the side achieve a 3-2 record. It’s almost fitting that this new was revealed before Waikato’s next match, which is against some of Kemara’s old Crusaders teammates.

Waikato host defending NPC champions Canterbury at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday evening, in what is shaping up as one of the games of the round.