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Chiefs coach breaks silence over reports of Lachlan Boshier's departure to Japan

Lachlan Boshier. (Photo by Jeremy Ward/Photosport)

Chiefs assistant coach Neil Barnes has broken his silence in the wake of reports that star loose forward Lachlan Boshier is set to leave the franchise at the end of the year.

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The New Zealand Herald reports that Boshier will join Japanese Top League champions, the Panasonic Wild Knights, once his NPC commitments with Taranaki have come to an end this year.

One of the best uncapped players in New Zealand, the 26-year-old was considered by many to be the unluckiest player in the country to miss out on All Blacks selection last year after a standout campaign in Super Rugby Aotearoa.

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A renowned turnover specialist, Boshier would be a quality addition to Robbie Deans’ star-studded Wild Knights squad, but would be an equally significant loss for the Chiefs and Taranaki.

Speaking to Newstalk ZB on Friday, Barnes, who is also leaving his position at the Chiefs, revealed he has mixed emotions about Boshier’s reported departure to Japan.

“I’m stoked for him, he’s got a deal that’s going to set him up for life, but you can’t help but be disappointed because he’s at a stage in his career now where he’s probably going to have the best three or four years in front of him,” Barnes said.

“He’s now a mature athlete, he’s done all the learning and is ready to deliver the goods.

“It’s one of those situations where he couldn’t crack getting into the top of the All Blacks, and the way he looks at it with the selection last year, he wasn’t really in their picture and made a decision to go.”

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While many called for Boshier’s inclusion in the All Blacks, head coach Ian Foster opted for other young, inexperienced prospects such as Hoskins Sotutu, Akira Ioane, Cullen Grace and Du’Plessis Kirifi in his national set-up.

All four of those players are bigger athletes than Boshier, and Barnes said that reflected Foster’s selection philosophy, which doesn’t suit Boshier’s style of play.

“Lachie’s got his own strengths as far as continuity of rugby and how he operates in the wider channels. I’d like to think his instinctive abilities are ahead of the other guys, but it’s not something they see at the moment,” Barnes told Newstalk ZB.

“It’s one of those ones where every coach and every selector is different, and they’re looking for a player with different strengths. For the teams I’ve coached he fits the bill.

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“He’s got a few things he needs to work on around his carry and the tight channels, but he’s got some other qualities that a lot of other players are miles behind in. Lachie didn’t fit that, so game over.”

Nevertheless, Barnes admired Boshier for his commitment to New Zealand Rugby, especially towards the Chiefs and Taranaki.

“He’s a very calculated person, deliberates well, is quite quiet. He doesn’t make decisions in a hurry so he would’ve sat on it for a while. I know he spoke to a lot of people to get their advice, and at the end of the day he’s done what’s best for him.

“He’s very loyal to the Chiefs and Taranaki so he had to weigh all that up as well. The deal he’s got at the moment is something top level so you can’t blame him for going when you finally hear the numbers.”

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RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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