Te Awamutu's best kept rugby secret

NZ Captain Luke Jacobson lifts the World Rugby U20 Championship Trophy. New Zealand v England at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi on the 18 June 2017. Copyright photo: GP O'Sullivan / www.photosport

One of the best kept secrets in Waikato rugby circles is the fact that all three Jacobson brothers - Kane, Mitch and Luke - were born at Matariki Hospital in Te Awamutu.

The trio of loose forwards have the potential to make a massive impact on the national Mitre 10 Cup competition kicking off this month.

Kane, 24, was born in Te Awamutu when his parents, Chris and Lisa, were living just south of Te Kawa.

The oldest of the talented brothers has been named in the North Harbour squad for the second year running, while Mitch, 21, and Luke, 20, have made the Waikato squad.

North Harbour plays Waikato at FMG Waikato Stadium on October 8, making for the prospect of Kane packing down against his younger brothers in the final regular season home game.

Kane plied his trade playing for Waikato age group teams, representing New Zealand Schools in a one-off test against Australia in 2011 and playing for the Chiefs Development side.

Mitch and Luke were born at Matariki Hospital after the Jacobson family moved to Cambridge in 1994.

In 2014, Luke made the New Zealand Schools team. Two years later he captained Waikato Under 19 in the Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament, leading his team to Graham Mourie Cup glory and being awarded Player of the Tournament in the process.

Waikato head coach Sean Botherway said there was a strong possibility that Mitch and Luke would link up in Waikato's back row this year. They will be players to keep an eye on this Mitre 10 Cup season.

Luke has committed to the Gallagher Chiefs until 2020. He has experienced the Chiefs' development pathways first hand, having played for the Chiefs U20 team and the University of Waikato Taua Development team, captained by Mitch.

This year he received the Chiefs' Under 20 Player of the Year award. He was a prominent figure in the Gallagher Chiefs Brisbane Global Rugby Tens squad, scoring a superb individual try in the final against the Crusaders.

"We are rapt that Luke will be joining us for the next few years," said incoming Chiefs' head coach Colin Cooper.

"Luke is an exceptional signing for the club. I'm pretty excited to work with this young man who is a quality player with huge potential."

Playing for the Chiefs has always been a dream of the youngest of the Jacobsons.

"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 training throughout the year," said Luke.

"I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm really excited to be a part of the team."

Mitch was a New Zealand Schools representative in 2014 and a year later was a member of the New Zealand side which won the 2015 IRB Junior World Championship in Italy.

The Jacobsons have loyal supporters, including their proud parents, and grandparents Mervyn and Jill Flett of Kaipaki.