Meet the Gallagher Chiefs Rookies
Meet the Gallagher Chiefs players who have picked up a full time Investec Super Rugby contract for the first time in 2020.
Bradley Slater
DOB: 23/09/98
Position: Hooker
Mitre 10 Cup team: Taranaki
The scoop: The New Plymouth Boys’ High School product was a member of the New Zealand U20 squad in 2019 and his talents were rewarded with a brief call up to the Chiefs. A year later he will be a fully contracted Investec Super Rugby player and will no doubt add to his solitary Gallagher Chiefs cap.
Kini Naholo
DOB: 16/04/99
Position: Outside back
Mitre 10 Cup team: Taranaki
The scoop: A secondary schools star at Hastings Boys’ High School where he scored an astonishing 48 tries in one season in 2017, Naholo quickly made his mark with the Taranaki Mitre 10 Cup side. His progression to Investec Super Rugby seemed inevitable and will be keenly watched.
Lisati Milo-Harris
DOB: 5/10/96
Position: Halfback
Mitre 10 Cup team: Taranaki
The scoop: A product of St Peter’s College in Auckland, Milo-Harris has made every post a winner since moving south to Taranaki. An excellent pass and kicking game, understands the game very well is and is able to execute the right option, under fatigue and high pressure.
Quinn Tupaea
DOB: 10/05/99
Position: Outside back/Midfield back
Mitre 10 Cup team: Waikato
The scoop: A strong running midfielder with enough pace to cover the outside backs, Tupaea plays the game with plenty of flair and inhibition. Capable of breaking tackles and finishing the Hamilton Boys’ High School product will be one to watch in 2020.
Ryan Coxon
DOB: 30/09/97
Position: Prop
Mitre 10 Cup team: Tasman
The scoop: Coxon is a big man with a big future. At 183cm and 118kg the tight head prop played for the New Zealand Under 20's during the 2017 Junior World Championship in Georgia and debuted for the Tasman Mako the same year. After four appearances for the Chiefs in 2019, he will be a fully contracted Investec Super Rugby player in 2020.
Naitoa Ah Kuoi
DOB: 10/07/99
Position: Lock
Mitre 10 Cup team: Wellington
The scoop: Fresh off his first season of Mitre 10 Cup, Ah Kuoi is a big, mobile and athletic lock with huge potential. Standing at 196cm and has been on the high performance radar for sometime after being a New Zealand Secondary Schools representative during his time at Wellington College.
Dylan Nel
DOB: 27/10/92
Position: Loose Forward
Mitre 10 Cup team: Otago
The scoop: The South African born loose forward headed to New Zealand in 2014 after talking to former All Black No.8 Murray Mexted in Durban. At the time, Nel was a member of the Sharks Under-21 squad, but decided to take a risk and head down under to further his rugby education. A few years with Canterbury and Otago in the Mitre 10 Cup and he finds himself playing Investec Super Rugby with the Gallagher Chiefs.
Kaleb Trask
DOB: 27/01/99
Position: First five-eighth
Mitre 10 Cup team: Bay of Plenty
The scoop: A year after representing the New Zealand Under 20s, Trask guided the Bay of Plenty Under 19 team to the Jock Hobbs Memorial trophy in 2019. The same year he stamped his mark on the Mitre 10 Cup as a player of immense potential and now gets his chance to move up a level with the Gallagher Chiefs in 2020.
Orbyn Leger
DOB: 13/03/97
Position: Midfield
Mitre 10 Cup team: Counties-Manukau
The scoop: Leger is still young, but seems to have been around for years, having represented the New Zealand Under 20s in 2016 and 2017. Capable of playing first five-eighth or midfield, the former Wesley College and Hamilton Boys’ High School product offers size, skill and leadership to the Gallagher Chiefs backline. Made two appearances for the Chiefs in 2019.
