Chiefs bolstered as All Blacks star agrees terms on new New Zealand Rugby deal
All Blacks and Chiefs loose forward Luke Jacobson.
Chiefs skipper and back-row forward Luke Jacobson is the latest player who has signed a contract extension with his club and New Zealand Rugby (NZR).
He has agreed terms for another two years with the Chiefs and NZR and joins the likes of fellow All Blacks Wallace Sititi (back-row) and Patrick Tuipulotu (second-row) to ink new contracts recently.
Jacobson, who is a powerful loose forward and strong leader, is one of the most respected figures in New Zealand rugby due to his consistent performances, quiet determination, and unwavering loyalty to the Chiefs.
Closing in on 100 appearances for the Chiefs
The former New Zealand U20 captain made his debut for Chiefs in 2018 and has earned 88 caps for the Hamilton-based outfit to date.
After making his debut at Super Rugby level, he soon became an integral part of the Chiefs’ physical and disciplined style of play and his formidable performances saw him making his All Blacks debut in 2019, earning 23 appearances in the black jersey.
Currently in his second year as Chiefs captain, Jacobson has guided the team through back-to-back Super Rugby Pacific finals campaigns and is excited about what the team can achieve together in the coming years.
“I’m excited about where this team has gotten to and I’m hungry to turn that into some championship success,” Jacobson told the Chiefs’ official website.
“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.
‘I’m able to grow my game and grow my leadership’
“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.”
Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan feels Jacobson’s leadership has been key in shaping the character of his side.
“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,” said McMillan.
The 28-year-old’s re-signing adds to a growing list of retained talent for the Chiefs, who continue to invest in both experience and youth as they pursue long-term success on and off the field.