Jono Gibbes on what position Damian McKenzie will play in 2026

New Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes has explained where he sees All Black first-five Damian McKenzie playing in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, ahead of round one against the Blues.

The 30-year-old experienced playmaker didn’t take the field in either of the Chiefs’ pre-season games for 2026, sitting out against the Fijian Drua in Mount Maunganui, and again a week later against the Hurricanes in Porirua.

McKenzie, who has now played 74-Tests for the All Blacks, will be looking to lead his team to a Super Rugby Pacific title, after failing to win the past three finals.

The Hamilton-based Super Rugby Pacific franchise fell just short in 2023 and 2025, losing to the Crusaders in Christchurch, while the Blues claimed their first Super Rugby title in two decades in 2024.

Former Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has moved to Ireland to coach Munster, which allowed Gibbes, last year’s assistant, to move into the head coaching role at the Hamilton-based franchise.

Gibbes, who played eight times for the All Blacks, was most recently a head coach at Clermont in France, before the New Zealand U20’s from 2023-2025.

Speaking to Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB’s Weekend Sport radio show, Gibbes doesn’t give much away when asked about where McKenzie will play, with All Black XV Josh Jacomb as an option as well.

“This season, at stages, if that’s what the team needs that week. He’s more than comfortable playing back there and that was part of the early part of the season last year when we saw Josh at 10 and Damian playing more at 15,” Gibbes told Newstalk ZB.

“Like I say, there’s a number of backs that can play different positions, Damian being one of them, so it’s just about the right combination each week. And competition for places, that competition brings out the best in the competitors.”

Despite not taking the field in any of the pre-season, Gibbes confirmed that McKenzie is available for round one against the Blues at Eden Park, along with Simon Parker, Leroy Carter, and Quinn Tupaea.

“Yes, he will be like we saw yesterday at hurricanes too, a number of All Blacks not playing that were there. So Damien, Leroy Carter, Simon Parker as well, were all unavailable for the Hurricanes game.”

The Chiefs’ biggest off-season signing was exciting young Moana Pasifika back Kyren Taumoefolau, who had an impressive campaign in 2025.

Taumoefolau is also an option at fullback or on the right-wing, after showcasing his versatility at different points of Moana Pasifika’s campaign.

Gibbes is pleased with what he’s seen so far from the 22-year-old, but he says the most exciting aspect about his squad is the versatility.

“Like I said when we announced our squad right at the start, I think one of the really pleasing parts is our utility factor in our backline.

“So we have a number of players who can play a number of positions, so that helps later on down the line, and squad health has a massive impact, there’s a lot of competition for the back three, and Kyren’s right in the middle of that.

“But also we saw over the last couple of weeks, a few other guys as well have put their hand up, and competition is pretty important. It’s pretty good for us.”