Latest news with #LukeJacobson
RNZ News
15 hours ago
- General
- RNZ News
Rugby: Chiefs captain extends stay and targets 100 game milestone
Luke Jacobson captain of the Chiefs. Photo: Jeremy Ward Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby for another two years. The loose forward made his Chiefs debut in in 2018 and has earned 88 caps for the side. After making his All Blacks debut the following year, he has played 23 games for New Zealand. Currently in his second year as Chiefs captain, Jacobson has guided the Super Rugby Pacific side through back-to-back finals campaigns and is excited about what the team can achieve together in the coming years. "It's not just the results that keep you around - it's the environment and the team culture. Between the coaches, management, and the players, there's a good group of people here and they make it pretty hard to leave," Jacobson said. "I really enjoy my rugby here. I'm able to grow my game and grow my leadership. I grew up supporting this team and after playing with them for eight years, it's a team that continues to really align with my values. "I'd love to play 100 games for the Chiefs, it would be a huge milestone for me and one I would be really proud to achieve." Outgoing Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said Jacobson's leadership had been key in shaping the character of the team. "He leads with integrity humility, and total commitment to the jersey and that's respected by everyone. His decision to re-sign speaks volumes about the culture we've built and the direction we're heading." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Chiefs down Highlanders to secure Super Rugby top spot
SYDNEY, May 30 (Reuters) - Lock Tupou Vaa'i scored a hat-trick of tries as the Waikato Chiefs locked up top spot in the Super Rugby Pacific standings and home advantage throughout the playoffs with a 41-21 victory over the Otago Highlanders on Friday. Runners-up for the last two years, the Chiefs did not hit the heights they have this year in their final regular season clash but always looked like having enough to get past a young Highlanders side. "Although the game wasn't perfect, we got the win," said Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson. "We got the four points, and we're at the top, and we can change our focus to what's in front of us in the quarter-final next week now. Credit to the Highlanders. They were gutsy as tonight." The Chiefs thrashed Moana Pasifika 85-7 last week and looked like running rampant again when they raced to a 19-0 lead inside the first 13 minutes under the roof at Dunedin Stadium. Flanker Samipeni Finau went over to open the scoring before All Black Vaa'i crossed twice in the space of two minutes but the Highlanders gradually worked their way back into the game. Prop Ethan de Groot got one try back from close range on the half-hour mark and, with Chiefs tighthead Reuben O'Neill in the sin bin, the ever-dangerous Timoci Tavatavanawai added another to cut the deficit to 19-14 at halftime. Scrumhalf Xavier Roe raced away down the blindside to give the Chiefs the perfect start to the second half and replacement back Manasa Mataele gave them a 31-17 lead heading into the final quarter, but the Highlanders would not lie down. Sam Gilbert ran onto a clever Tanielu Tele'a kick to score a try in his final appearance for the Highlanders seven minutes from time and they would have got closer had Cortez Ratima not come up with a brilliant try-saving cover tackle. Vaa'i was not done yet, however, and he pounced on a loose ball from a goal-line drop out in the final minute to condemn the Highlanders to the wooden spoon for the first time since the second season of Super Rugby in 1997. "I think we got it right at times, it's just, again, small moments," said co-captain de Groot. "I'm excited for this group. We can do some special things. I'm excited for next season."
RNZ News
5 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Highlanders v Chiefs: what you need to know
Highlanders v Chiefs Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 30 May Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Live blog updates on RNZ Sport It's top v bottom in the last regular season round for this year, but there's still plenty to play for here. The Chiefs are looking to lock in first spot on the table with a bonus point win, while the Highlanders can avoid last place with an upset in front of their home crowd. The Chiefs are coming off the biggest win of the season after they thumped Moana Pasifika 85-7, while the Highlanders have had two heartbreaking losses in the last fortnight. Both results, against the Hurricanes and Crusaders, came down to the last play and the Highlanders were on the wrong side of both. Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Saula Ma'u, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Tai Cribb, 6. TK Howden, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Sean Withy, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Cam Millar, 11. Taniela Filimone, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13. Tanielu Tele'a, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Sosefo Kautai, 19. Will Stodart, 20. Michael Loft, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Thomas Umaga-Jensen Chiefs: 1. Jared Proffit, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Reuben O'Neill, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Shaun Stevenson Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. George Dyer, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Simon Parker, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Manasa Mataele Cam Millar was brilliant with the boot. Photo: Cam Millar comes back in at first five with Taine Robinson injured, also Tai Cribb comes into the second row for his first start. Other than that it's a settled side that Jamie Joseph has named, with a lot of ball set to end up in the hands of Timoci Tavatavanawai and Tanielu Tele'a. Samipeni Finau on the charge. Photo: Photosport A couple of changes have been made, with Xavier Roe starting at halfback and Cortez Ratima moving back to the bench. Samipeni Finau starts ahead of Simon Parker, while Josh Lord comes back in at lock and Naitoa Ah Kuoi gets a break on the bench too. Timoci Tavatavanawai during the Highlanders v Hurricanes, Super Rugby Pacific match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress The Chiefs have lost three of their last five Super Rugby Pacific matches after scoring 50+ points in the game prior, including a 17-35 loss against the Hurricanes the last time that happened. The Highlanders have lost their last five Super Rugby Pacific matches, though each of their last three defeats by come by margins no greater than five points. The last time they recorded a longer losing run in a single season was an eight-match span in 2013. Timoci Tavatavanawai (64) and Damian McKenzie (49) have beaten more defenders than any other players in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. Tavatavanawai's 161 carries are the most of any back in the campaign and the third most of any player overall. "They only get access to the ball if we're sloppy on the carry and clean. We've drawn a line in the sand about how we want to operate in that space, the challenge is to keep getting there." Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan. "I haven't lost confidence in the team. I feel sorry for our team because they work hellishly hard. But that's footy. There's kind of no fairy tales in sport. The lessons that we're learning and how to close games and how to execute under pressure are costing us." - Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph. Chiefs 46 - 10 Highlanders This was actually looking pretty good for the Highlanders as they were only down 13-10 at halftime, however the Chiefs came roaring out of the sheds to score five second half tries. Leroy Carter really underlined his name as a contender for the All Blacks, while the Chiefs forwards really put the foot down when it counted. Despite the Highlanders' bad luck in their last few games, there's a reason why they're last and the Chiefs are first. They will be doing well to avoid a repeat of the last meeting, and it'll take some big games from their key players to make that happen. Given it's the last time for a while they'll play, there's no reason not to.
Reuters
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Chiefs move top of the table, Waratahs keep season alive
May 24 (Reuters) - Waikato Chiefs handed Moana Pasifika a crushing 85-7 defeat on Saturday as Clayton McMillan's well-rested outfit roared back from a bye week to move clear at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific standings with a dominant bonus-point victory. Leroy Carter and Ratima Cortez both scored hat-tricks in a display that takes the Chiefs one point ahead of the Canterbury Crusaders, who saw Sevu Reece set a Super Rugby try-scoring record in his side's 15-12 win over the Otago Highlanders. "We really showed a ruthless edge there," said Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson after a statement win in Hamilton. "I was really pleased with the boys, being able to stick at their roles and sticking the small little things and building those up. That added up to a few good tries." Fullback Shaun Stevenson put his side in front in the eighth minute and the relentless Chiefs showed no mercy as lock Tupou Vaa'i, winger Ratima, centre Quinn Tupaea and fullback Damien McKenzie all scored before halftime. Carter claimed his first, and the Chiefs' sixth, four minutes into the second half and the winger crossed twice more after hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho scored in the 50th minute with Ratima also completing his hat-trick in the second half. The Crusaders squeezed past the Highlanders in Christchurch on Friday to move above the ACT Brumbies, who are on a bye week, with Reece notching up his 66th Super Rugby try. Flyhalf Rivez Reihana's penalty gave the Crusaders an early lead before Reece broke TJ Perenara's record with a close-range score, the All Blacks winger picking up possession inches from the line to touch down. "I would've loved to have scored a nice dive-in-the-corner try or something nicer than that," Reece said. "That was more a forward's try. "But a try's a try and I'll take it any time of the day." Tries from winger Jonah Lowe and flyhalf Taine Robinson gave the Highlanders a 12-10 lead but prop Tamaiti Williams crossed for the Crusaders with nine minutes remaining to put Rob Penney's side three points ahead. The Highlanders were awarded a penalty after regulation time had elapsed but replacement flyhalf Miller pushed his game-tying kick wide of the posts. Wellington Hurricanes survived a second-half fightback by the Queensland Reds to notch up a 31-27 win in Brisbane to move up to fourth with one round of the regular season remaining. Flying winger Fehi Fineanganofo touched down for his second try of the game in the 65th minute as he twisted midair to seal a win that guarantees the Hurricanes a place in the playoffs. "We'll take it," said Hurricanes lock Du'Plessis Kirifi. "Not pretty, we just found a way. But right now coming over here to Brisbane, almost a fortress for these Reds boys, to come away with a win is a pleasure." Wing Darby Lancaster scored a try in the corner with an acrobatic finish in the final play of the Super Point period as New South Wales Waratahs kept alive their season with a 22-17 win over Western Force in Perth. Flanker Carlo Tizzano scored his 13th try of the season for the Force, breaking the record for most tries by a forward in a Super Rugby campaign. With the scores locked at 17-17, Kurtley Beale missed a 55-metre penalty for the Force after the hooter as the ball drifted wide and Alex Harford saw his 45-metre effort fall short in the Super Point period. But Lancaster's heroics at the death took the Waratahs to 26 points on the table, two behind Moana Pasifica in the final play-off position. "They were very physical on a wet night here in Perth. It was a tough game, I am just so stoked to get the win," Lancaster said.
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Pacific live updates: Chiefs v Moana Pasifika
Miracle Fai'ilagi of Moana Pasifika winning a lineout against Luke Jacobson of the Chiefs (file photo). Photo: Craig Butland/ActionPress A season-defining game here for Ardie Savea and his Moana side - a win here and they will complete a clean sweep of the NZ Super Rugby Pacific teams and earn a play-off spot. The Chiefs can take back top spot on the ladder, so there's plenty to play for in Hamilton. Kick-off is at 7:05pm Saturday, NZT. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog: Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Gideon Wrampling Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Kyren Taumoefolau, 15. Tevita Ofa Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Allan Craig, 20. Sione Havili Talitui, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Julian Savea, 23. Jackson Garden-Bachop
