Chiefs sign New Zealand Under-20 duo

Cape Town - The Chiefs have announced the signing of World Rugby Championship-winning New Zealand Under 20 duo Luke Jacobson and Tiaan Falcon.

Back-row Jacobson has committed to the Chiefs until 2020 and flyhalf Falcon has signed for two years. The duo played prominent roles in New Zealand's win at the Under-20 World Rugby Championship in Georgia earlier this year.

Incoming Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper said: “We are really rapt that Luke and Tiaan will be joining us for the next few years. These are two exceptional signings for the club which secure the future of the Chiefs. I’m pretty excited to work with both these young men who are quality players with huge potential.”

“It has always been a dream of mine to be a Chief,” said 20-year-old loose forward Luke Jacobson.

“I had a small taste of it this year, being a part of the Chiefs team to play in the Global Brisbane 10s tournament and also attending some trainings throughout the year and I enjoyed every minute of it. I’m really excited to be a part of the team.”

Falcon, 20, said: “I’m really excited about this opportunity with the Chiefs, especially being able to develop my game at 1st five. I’ve heard really good things about the culture and the people at the Chiefs so I’m looking forward to getting there and really embracing this opportunity later in the year.”

Jacobson is forging an impressive rugby career. Born in Te Awamutu and raised in Cambridge, Jacobson attended Cambridge High School, earning selection for the New Zealand Schools team in 2014. In 2016 he captained the Waikato Under-19 side in the Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under-19sTournament, leading his team to Graham Mourie Cup victory and being awarded Player of the Tournament in the process. 

He has experienced the Chiefs development pathways firsthand, having played for the Chiefs Under-20 team and the University of Waikato Taua Development team, with the latter captained by his older brother Mitch. This year he received the Chiefs Under-20 Player of the Year award. The 20-year-old was a prominent figure in the Chiefs Brisbane Global Rugby Tens squad, scoring a superb individual try in the final against the Crusaders.

Exciting pivot Falcon was a standout for the New Zealand Under-20s at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Georgia this year. The accomplished goal kicker was born in Penrith, Australia and moved to New Zealand at age two. He is the son of former Maori All Black and Hurricanes representative Gordon Falcon and is a product of Lindisfarne College in Hastings. 

In 2016 at just 19-years-old, Falcon made his Mitre 10 Cup debut for Hawke’s Bay, demonstrating great composure and tactical nous in his 10 appearances last year. He is set to play a pivotal role for Hawke’s Bay again this season and further develop his halfback partnership with Hawke’s Bay and Chiefs team-mate Brad Weber.