The Highlanders have secured one of New Zealand rugby’s brightest young prospects, with Taranaki first five-eighths Josh Jacomb signing a two-year deal that will see him join the Dunedin-based franchise from the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The 24-year-old playmaker, who has spent the past two seasons understudying All Black Damian McKenzie at the Chiefs, will remain in Hamilton for the 2026 campaign before heading south to take up what the Highlanders hope will be a pivotal role in their ongoing rebuild under head coach Jamie Joseph.
Jacomb’s signature represents a significant coup for the Highlanders, who have been actively pursuing young talent since Joseph’s return to the coaching helm. The move addresses what has been a problematic position for the franchise, with the first five-eighths duties shared between Cameron Millar and Taine Robinson throughout a challenging 2025 campaign.
“I’ve learned a lot at the Chiefs, especially working alongside someone like D-Mac, but I feel I’m ready to take the next step in my career and hopefully play a more prominent role,” Jacomb said. “I believe a move to the Highlanders is the best place for me to do that. I know that I will have to continue to work hard as they already have some good young talent down there, but I am genuinely excited by the prospect of playing for the Highlanders.”
The signing comes after months of speculation surrounding Jacomb’s future, with the young pivot finding his pathway to regular starting opportunities blocked by McKenzie’s presence. The All Blacks star recently extended his contract with New Zealand Rugby through to 2029, effectively sealing Jacomb’s fate in Hamilton despite the playmaker’s obvious potential.
In his two seasons with the Chiefs, Jacomb has managed just nine starting appearances, a statistic that belies his considerable talent and ambition. His performances for Taranaki in the National Provincial Championship have been nothing short of exceptional, including a remarkable 30-point haul against Auckland at Eden Park that underlined his readiness for a more prominent role in Super Rugby.
Jacomb’s credentials extend beyond domestic competition. He earned a starting berth at first five-eighths for the All Blacks XV against Georgia last November, a selection that affirmed national selectors’ view of him as one of New Zealand’s most promising game drivers. He further enhanced his reputation with another start at No 10 for the Barbarians against the Springboks in June, demonstrating his ability to perform on the international stage.
Joseph, who has been instrumental in reshaping the Highlanders’ roster with an eye towards youth and potential, was effusive in his praise of the new recruit.
“We believe Josh has some untapped potential that we can help him realise,” Joseph said. “He’s hungry, driven, and ready to lead. We’re very excited to see what he can accomplish with us and also what he can contribute to our team performances over the coming seasons. I think this is a strong signing for us and aligns perfectly with our broader club strategy of building depth and competition in all positions – growing individual players and the team as a whole.”
The timing of the move is particularly significant given that Jacomb will remain at the Chiefs for the 2026 season, a year that looms large in the All Blacks calendar with a tour of South Africa scheduled. New Zealand Rugby has earmarked that tour as a development opportunity for the next generation of All Blacks playmakers, making game time in Super Rugby Pacific crucial for those with international ambitions.
It is understood that Jacomb was keen to make the switch immediately, but his existing contract obligations mean he will need to bide his time for another year. The delay may prove fortuitous, however, as it allows him to continue learning from McKenzie whilst maintaining his sharpness in what is likely to be a competitive 2026 campaign.
The Highlanders’ recruitment of Jacomb is made all the more impressive by the fact that he reportedly turned down a substantial offer from a Japanese club to remain in New Zealand. His commitment to staying in Super Rugby and pursuing All Blacks honours speaks to his long-term ambitions and confidence in the Highlanders’ project.
Jacomb will join a youthful Highlanders squad that Joseph has been carefully assembling. The backline already boasts considerable firepower in the form of All Black Timoci Tavatavanawai, former All Blacks Sevens flyer Caleb Tangitau, and fellow Taranaki and Barbarians representative Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
For the Highlanders faithful, who have endured some of their most challenging results in recent campaigns, the signing represents a tangible sign of progress. The franchise has been engaged in a tug-of-war with the Chiefs for Jacomb’s services, and securing his commitment – albeit with a delayed start date – will be viewed as a victory for Joseph’s vision.
The situation also presents interesting questions for the Chiefs, who will need to carefully manage their resources in 2026. Whilst McKenzie remains their first-choice playmaker, the franchise has the option of deploying him at fullback, though they are already well-stocked in the back three with All Blacks Emoni Narawa and Leroy Carter, as well as Etene Nanai-Seturo and new recruit Kyren Taumoefolau.
For Jacomb, the next two years represent both a challenge and an opportunity. He must first navigate one more season as McKenzie’s deputy, a role that demands patience and professionalism, before taking centre stage in Dunedin. His performances in Taranaki’s successful Ranfurly Shield defence in 2024 and his subsequent international appearances suggest he possesses both the skill and temperament to thrive under pressure.
The Highlanders, meanwhile, must ensure they provide the right environment for Jacomb to flourish once he arrives. Joseph’s track record of developing young talent augurs well, but the franchise will need to demonstrate tangible progress in 2026 to convince their new signing that the move south was the right decision.
