Super Rugby 2025: Chiefs’ pre-season squad includes three new faces

After 40 games for the Crusaders, hooker Brodie McAlister has signed with the Chiefs for 2025. Photo / Photosport

The Gallagher Chiefs are amping up for the 2025 Super Rugby season and just named a squad of 37 players for the pre-season clash against the Hurricanes.

The squad boasts new recruits Brodie McAlister and Jahrome Brown, who are set to have their first outing in Chiefs colours on Saturday afternoon in New Plymouth.

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

McAlister joins the team from the Crusaders, while Brown, originally from Putāruru, arrives after recently spending time with the Brumbies in Canberra.

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

Jacomb is one of six Taranaki representatives named to play in the match. The others are Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Josh Lord, Kaylum Boshier and Daniel Rona.

Jahrome Brown joins the Chiefs after spending time with the Brumbies. Photo / Jason McCawley, Brumbies Rugby Australia

The match at Yarrow Stadium will celebrate the strong ties both clubs have to the Taranaki region, as 11 years ago, Taranaki changed their Super Rugby club allegiance from the Hurricanes to the Chiefs.

Tickets for the match are available online at chiefs.co.nz. Fans who can’t make it to the match in person can watch it live on Chiefs Pass. Non-playing squad members will join the commentary team to offer insights and analysis.

The pre-match between the Gallagher Chiefs and Hurricanes will kick off on February 1 at 2pm at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth.

Chiefs line-up against the Hurricanes

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. Malachi Wrampling

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 Ngati-Taufu

31. Charlie Sinton

32. Tai Cribb

33. Jacob Norris

34. Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia

35. James Thompson

36. Sione Ahio

37. Kaylum Boshier

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