New Chiefs star Kyren Taumoefolau to become All Blacks eligible for Bledisloe Cup series
Friday, 19 June 2026
What: Super Rugby Pacific final, Hurricanes v Chiefs. Where: Hnry Stadium, Wellington. When: Saturday, 7.05pm; live on Sky Sport 1.
New Chiefs star Kyren Taumoefolau still has a bit of time to bide but will become eligible for the All Blacks even before their November tour to the northern hemisphere.
The former Moana Pasifika rep is nearing the end of a three-year stand-down from international rugby, as he aims to represent New Zealand after playing for Tonga in 2023.
But while the 1.91m, 95kg flyer won’t be able to be selected next Monday in Dave Rennie’s 34-man squad for July’s three Nations Championship tests, or the 44-man squad for the tour of South Africa, there are still a potential six tests in which he could be involved in this year, thanks to the revamped 2026 calendar.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confirmed to the Waikato Times that the first of those would be the Bledisloe Cup opener against the Wallabies at Eden Park on October 10.
That fixture falls outside Taumoefolau’s three-year stand-down period by the narrowest of margins, with the last of his five tests for Tonga having been on October 8, 2023, in his sole World Cup appearance, where he scored a try off the bench in a final-pool-game 45-24 win over Romania in Villeneuve-d'Ascq.
So while Taumoefolau won’t be eligible for the All Blacks when the squad for the Bledisloe Cup is actually announced, there is nothing preventing him being named, given the key date is when he would actually take the field. Similarly, there is also nothing stopping him being called into the national squad as a training partner in the meantime.
While others will get the jump on him to start the test season, Taumoefolau will remain a prospect to ponder, also easily the youngest of any wingers in the All Blacks frame, having turned 23 last month, along with already having banked a little bit of international IQ.
“I felt like it was a good experience and exposure for me pretty early,” he tells the Waikato Times of that early opportunity with Tonga, which even came before he had played NPC.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back out on that stage.
“But my focus right now is playing well for the Chiefs, and whatever comes from that, I’ll definitely take with two hands.”
Indeed he has gone the right way about doing that, with a move from Moana, who he was a star for last year, paying off, as he aimed to immerse himself with some fellow All Blacks flyers and lift his game accordingly.
“You just be a sponge with these guys, they’ve got so much experience, and they’re always keen for someone young wanting to learn, so you just go pick their brains and go and express yourself.”
It hasn’t all been handed to him, mind you, with Taumoefolau having had to be patient. After starting in the first two games of the season, he then missed selection for the next three, and didn’t open his try-scoring account until a double in round eight against the Waratahs, which he then followed up with another double a week later against his Moana mates.
The quickest in the Chiefs squad over their 10-metre sprint testing (with Leroy Carter second), Taumoefolau now has four doubles, after two apiece in the qualifying final and semifinal, and sits just two behind the Chiefs’ season-record try tally of 12, jointly held by current assistant coach Roger Randle (2002) and Shaun Stevenson (2023).
One more big opportunity now awaits in Wellington on Saturday night, in a final which comes against a Hurricanes side which he ironically could have been representing had Canes coach Clark Laidlaw got his way when Taumoefolau was looking at his options to move from Moana.
“I had a few conversations with him when I was talking to the Chiefs,” he admits. “I’ve got great respect for Clark and his team and what they’ve been able to do.
“But I’m just happy to be here, this is my team.
“Just the learning here, growing with the players and coaches has been awesome. And just for my development it’s been massive.
“From the start I knew that there were some quality players here at the Chiefs, and that I’d have to come here and put my best foot forward for this team and I knew I had to earn my spot. So for me that was working behind the scenes and making sure I do everything to make selection. I’m pretty lucky to get the start now, and am just enjoying it.”
Hurricanes: Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett (cc), Fehi Fineanganofo, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), Devan Flanders, Warner Dearns, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Pasilio Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Reserves: Jacob Devery, Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, Ereatari Enari, Jone Rova, Kini Naholo.
Chiefs: Liam Coombes-Fabling, Leroy Carter, Kyle Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Kyren Taumoefolau, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa'i, Josh Lord, Sione Ahio, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ollie Norris. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Reon Paul.