All Black Luke Jacobson rejoins Chiefs for crunch game against Brumbies in round five of Super Rugby Pacific

Wednesday, 18 March 2026

The Six Nations was full of upsets and had no unbeaten teams, so was Razor’s 74% record as All Blacks coach really that bad in the context of modern rugby? The Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew analyse whether Kiwi expectations are too high.

Although Clark Laidlaw, now in his third season as Hurricanes head coach, should have appreciated his players’ efforts during the win over the Western Force last weekend, he’s unlikely to have showered them with praise.

The 31-23 victory over the Force in Napier didn’t attract rave reviews from the critics or the players themselves.

It’s not that the Force are a bad side, because they’re not. They can use the ball wisely, showed enterprise and although they have only claimed one victory this season, they’re not a team that rolls over easily.

The Hurricanes, however, should have been more clinical at McLean Park; they trailed by three points at halftime before lifting their standards in the second stanza.

If they’re to remain at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table they must be more ruthless against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night.

Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes, meanwhile, would have spent the bye week asking himself and his assistants how to get more out of a team that is yet to fulfil its potential.

The Chiefs play the Brumbies in Canberra in the second game on Friday evening. If Gibbes has to remind his players how difficult it can be to win at GIO Stadium, he may as well tell them to not bother to leave the hotel.

Captain Luke Jacobson returns to work for the Chiefs after missing the round-four match against Moana Pasifika with a minor hip injury.

Jacobson and his team-mates will know to expect maximum heat from a Brumbies side aiming to rebound from their loss to the Drua in Fiji.

Here’s the New Zealand teams that will be rolled out this week.

Highlanders v Hurricanes

Friday, 7.05pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Concussion has sidelined sharpshooter Cam Millar, leaving Reesjan Pasitoa to make his first start in the Highlanders’ No 10 jersey.

The unavailability of Millar, who was clobbered high by Crusaders wing Chay Fihaki last weekend, also brings former All Blacks Sevens gun Andrew Knewstubb on to the bench.

Having helped guide Canterbury to the NPC title last year, Knewstubb’s Super Rugby debut has been delayed due to a pre-season injury.

The Highlanders have been bolstered by the long-awaited return of Tasman No 8 Hugh Renton, who has been limited to playing for the development team so far this year.

Centre Jonah Lowe is also back after missing last week’s game, while Otago lock Josh Tengblad is set to debut off the bench.

Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Caleb Tangitau, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jona Nareki, Reesjan Pasitoa, Folau Fakatava, Hugh Renton, Lucas Casey, Sean Withy, Te Kamaka Howden, Oliver Haig, Angus Ta’avao, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Tai Cribb, Veveni Lasaqua, Adam Lennox, Andrew Knewstubb, Tanielu Tele’a.

Ruben Love will make his first start of the season, having been named at No 10 after he was listed on the bench last weekend.

Fellow All Black Tyrel Lomax, however, won’t play the Highlanders because an ankle injury will sideline him for up to three weeks.

Pasilio Tosi will replace Lomax at tighthead prop, joining Xavier Numia and Asafo Aumua in the front row. Lock Warner Dearns is another elevated to the run-on side.

A loose forward reshuffle sees Devan Flanders move to blindside flanker to accommodate No 8 Brayden Iose, while Peter Lakai returns to start at openside flanker.

Jordie Barrett will captain the side from second-five alongside midfield partner Billy Proctor, who is reinstated at centre after missing last week.

After three consecutive starts at first-five, Callum Harkin moves back to fullback. That pushes Josh Moorby to the right wing, while Fehi Fineanganofo is retained at left wing.

Hurricanes: Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett (captain), Fehi Fineanganofo, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Devan Flanders, Warner Dearns, Caleb Delany, Pasilio Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Reserves: Vernon Bason, Siale Lauaki, Tevita Mafileo, Hugo Plummer, Brad Shields, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ereatara Enari, Bailyn Sullivan.

Brumbies v Chiefs

Friday, 9.35pm at GIO Stadium, Canberra

The Chiefs forward pack has a menacing look to it, but there’s no Wallace Sititi to add his own unique flavour on both sides of the ball.

Loose forward Sititi isn’t expected to be available until round 10 because he has a hamstring injury.

Having Jacobson back and ready to roll, however, is excellent news for a team that should be full of energy and refreshed following the bye.

No 8 Jacobson joins fellow All Blacks Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord and Simon Parker in the starting XV. Samipeni Finau, Ollie Norris and Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi are on the bench.

Inside backs Cortez Ratima and Damian McKenzie should enjoy the ride if the Chiefs pack can get parity with the Brumbies.

Chiefs: Liam Coombes-Fabling, Leroy Carter, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Luke Jacobson (captain), Jahrome Brown, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Reuben O’Neill, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jared Profitt. Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Lalakai Foketi.

Moana Pasifika v Crusaders

Saturday, 7.05pm at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland

Moana Pasifika will be without halfback Augustine Pulu.

He has been suspended for three weeks for his high tackle on the Blues’ Sam Nock last weekend.

Joel Lam will earn his first start in the No 9 jersey. He is a former Crusaders player, having made his Super Rugby Pacific debut in 2023. Lam joined their academy out of St Andrew's College, and worked part-time as a teacher aide at a school in Christchurch.

Julian Savea returns for his first match of the 2026 season after recovering from a groin injury, and will start at second five-eighth.

Moana Pasifika: William Havili, Tevita Latu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Julian Savea, Glen Vaihu, Patrick Pellegrini, Joel Lam, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Niko Jones, Miracle Faiilagi (capt), Allan Craig, Tom Savage, Atu Moli, Millennium Sanerivi, Tito Tuipulotu. Reserves: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Veikoso Poloniati, Dominic Ropeti, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Ofa.

The Crusaders have dug into their wider training squad after losing all three of their No 10s to injury.

Tasman’s Cooper Grant will start at first five-eighth against Moana Pasifika, with Taha Kemara and Rivez Reihana both unavailable due to concussion.

James White has been wiped out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

Crusaders coach Rob Penney pointed to his halfbacks and fullback Will Jordan as options to cover the 22-year-old Grant, who played baseball for the the now defunct Auckland Tuatara when he was 16.

Due to a niggle, suspended All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams couldn’t complete the World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme, leaving him sidelined for a third straight week.

Uncapped Canterbury wing Kurtis Macdonald has been named on the bench, while Dallas McLeod has replaced the injured David Havili in the No 12 jersey.

Crusaders: Will Jordan (capt), Chay Fihaki, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Sevu Reece, Cooper Grant, Noah Hotham, Christian Lio-Willie, Johnny Lee, Ethan Blackadder, Jamie Hannah, Tahlor Cahill, Fletcher Newell, George Bell, Finlay Brewis. Reserves: Manumaua Letiu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Antonio Shalfoon, Xavier Saifoloi, Kyle Preston, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Kurtis MacDonald.

Waratahs v Blues

Saturday, 9.35pm at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Blues coach Vern Cotter made a handful of changes for the match in Australia, with Finlay Christie starting at No 9 after Nock was injured last weekend.

Pita Ahki returns in the second five jersey, with Zarn Sullivan slotting back in at fullback and Payton Spencer - the son of All Black Carlos Spencer - named to make a potential Blues debut from the bench.

Bradley Slater returns from an abdominal strain at hooker, while Sam Matenga shifts into the starting front row at tighthead prop.

Malachi Wrampling earns his first start for the club at No 8 after making an impressive debut off the bench last week.

“The Waratahs are always a dangerous side particularly at home in Sydney, so we’ll need to be accurate and disciplined for 80 minutes,” Cotter said.

“Our focus has been on continuing to adapt and improve our game. We’ve built a strong foundation this season so it’s about ensuring we keep growing.”

Blues: Zarn Sullivan, Codemeru Vai, AJ Lam, Pita Ahki, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Malachi Wrampling, Dalton Papali’i (captain), Anton Segner, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Sam Matenga, Bradley Slater, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Marcel Renata, Che Clark, Torian Barnes, Taufa Funaki, Xavi Taele, Payton Spencer