New faces to feature in Taranaki hit out

New recruits Brodie McAlister and Jahrome Brown are set to have their first outing in Gallagher Chiefs colours this Saturday afternoon in Taranaki, after being named as part of a 37-strong squad for the pre-season clash with the Hurricanes at Yarrow Stadium (2.00pm kick-off).  

The pair – along with utility back Leroy Carter – are the new faces included in the group, who will share minutes across a match played in three 30-minute periods.  

McAlister joins after time spent with the Crusaders, while Putāruru native Brown arrives following six seasons across the Tasman with the Brumbies.  

Carter, who is a former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year nominee, joins first five-eighth Josh Jacomb in gaining a full-time DHL Super Rugby contract for 2025.  

Jacomb is one of six Taranaki representatives named to play in the match, which celebrates the strong ties both clubs have to the Taranaki region (11 years ago Taranaki changed their Super Rugby club allegiance from the Hurricanes to the Gallagher Chiefs). 

Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Josh Lord, Kaylum Boshier and Daniel Rona are the other hometown players.  

Tickets for the match start from $20.00 and are available through chiefs.co.nz/fixtures-results/

Fans who can’t make it to the game can watch it live exclusively on Chiefs Pass, with non-playing squad members joining the commentary team to offer insights and analysis.  

Gallagher Chiefs v Hurricanes, February 1, 2.00pm kick-off, Yarrow Stadium, Taranaki 

Updated Friday, January 31

1. Aidan Ross 

2. Bradley Slater 

3. Reuben O’Neill 

4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi 

5. Manaaki Selby-Rickit 

6. Simon Parker 

7. Jahrome Brown 

8. Kaylum Boshier

9. Xavier Roe 

10 Josh Jacomb 

11. Manasa Mataele 

12. Rameka Poihipi  

13. Daniel Rona 

14. Leroy Carter 

15. Etene Nanai-Seturo 

16. Taine Kolose 

17. Ollie Norris 

18. Benet Kumeroa 

19. Jimmy Tupou 

20. Josh Lord 

21. Leone Nawai  

22. Ethan Reti 

23. Peniasi Malimali 

24. Oscar Koller 

25. Gideon Wrampling 

26. Luke Jacobson 

27. Brodie McAlister 

28. George Dyer 

29. Jared Proffit  

30. Leo Ngatai-Tafau

31. Charlie Sinton 

32. Tai Cribb 

33. Jacob Norris 

34. Micah Fale

35. James Thompson 

36. Sione Ahio 

37. Gibson Popoalii