Skipper Luke Jacobson returns at No8 in a Gallagher Chiefs side refreshed from their week off with the bye and ready to take on the Brumbies in Canberra.
Jacobson missed the match against Moana Pasifika with a minor hip injury but is back in a settled pack that includes fellow All Blacks Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord and Simon Parker. Samipeni Finau, Ollie Norris and Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi are part of a formidable bench.
There is a settled look to the backline too with All Blacks sprinkled throughout, and especially in the driving seats with Cortez Ratima and Damian McKenzie at halfback and first five respectively.
The match is the first of two in Australia for the Gallagher Chiefs and Head Coach Jono Gibbes says they are excited about being on the road and the challenges ahead.
“The Brumbies are a terrific side and the Force next week will be tough in Perth, so this is a good mini tour for us. If we get things right, it will help set us for the rest of the season.”
Gibbes says the players enjoyed the break with the bye but have returned champing at the bit. “The bye came at a good time because we’d had a tough start to the season with the derbies; and the guys have looked refreshed since they’ve been back with us.”
The Chiefs have won their last five straight Super Rugby Pacific games against the ACT Brumbies by an average margin of 18.4 points per game, restricting the Canberra side to 17 points or fewer in three of their last four meetings in the competition.
The match is a home coming of sorts for Jahrome Brown who was born in New Zealand but played 50 games for the Brumbies from 2019-2024. Many of those were alongside Brumbies veteran James Slipper who will play his 203rd Super Rugby game on Friday, slipping past the record of 202 games set by Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett.
Gibbes said such a milestone was a credit to Slipper’s professionalism and dedication and while the Gallagher Chiefs hope to spoil the celebrations on the field, they would mark the occasion with the widely respected Wallabies prop after the match.
Gallagher Chiefs v Brumbies.
9.35pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra, Friday March 20
Starting XV
1. Jared Profitt
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Reuben O’Neill
4. Josh Lord
5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc)
6. Simon Parker
7. Jahrome Brown
8. Luke Jacobson (c)
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
12. Quinn Tupaea (vc)
13. Daniel Rona
14. Leroy Carter
15. Liam Coombes-Fabling
Reserves
16. Tyrone Thompson
17. Ollie Norris
18. George Dyer
19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi
20. Samipeni Finau
21. Xavier Roe
22. Josh Jacomb
23. Lalakai Foketi
Players unavailable due to injury:
Wallace Sititi – Hamstring – Rd 8-10
Jayden Sa – Shoulder – timeline TBC
Fiti Sa – Quad – Rd 8
Isaac Hutchinson – Knee – Rd 8
Benét Kumeroa – Ankle – Rd 12
Chiefs Samisoni Taukei’aho during the Chiefs v Moana Pasifika, Super Rugby Pacific match, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Friday, 6 March 2026, (Photo by Aaron Gillions / action press)
