'He's so much better than people think': The forgotten All Black at the Chiefs

Chiefs No 8 Luke Jacobson produced a barnstorming display in Canberra against the Brumbies, logging 16 tackles from 18 attempts while clocking 128 metres with ball in hand.

He demonstrated his smarts with a shortside run off the back of the scrum down an empty Brumbies channel.

Jacobson burned away down the one metre narrow corridor before selling a dummy that fooled two Brumbies, scoring from the 45 metre run.

The stunning try was in addition to a high work rate performance that caught the eye of ex-All Black Jeff Wilson on Sky Sport’s The Breakdown.

“I’m going to pick players who are playing,” Wilson said of the All Blacks‘ loose forward puzzle.

“This guy Jacobson is going out there and showing some real nice touches and at the moment our options at No 8 are a little bit limited.

“They are limited. It is Ardie Savea, Hoskins, or this [guy]. He is so much better than people think.”

Jacobson’s All Black career began in 2019 as a late cycle debutant and earnt World Cup squad selection, but injury prevented him from getting to Japan.

He came off the bench in Argentina in the Rugby Championship before starting one Test against Tonga that year.

He didn’t play for the All Blacks in 2020 in the Covid-reduced season but returned in 2021 for 10 Tests.

Again in 2022 he missed the entire All Blacks season and hasn’t featured since a 47-9 victory over Italy.

Former All Black wing John Kirwan believed Jacobson will be back in black this year but as a versatile option across all three back row positions.

“I’ve taken him as a No 7,” Kirwan said of his 36-man squad.

“I’ve got Savea and Sotutu as the No 8s and I’ve got Sam Cane, Papalii and Jacobson.

“I’ve got Barrett as a No 6, which opens up the lock discussion.

“I think against the big sides in France, you are going to really look at Barrett [at 6] and someone like Akira coming on late when they are tired and he can bring his bit of X-factor.”