Former All Blacks and Chiefs utility forward Jono Gibbes is making a comeback to coaching with dual roles in New Zealand in 2023. After being dismissed from his position as the head coach of Top 14 club Clermont-Auvergne in January, Gibbes has been appointed as the new coach for the New Zealand U20 team. Additionally, he will serve as a resource coach for the Chiefs, taking charge of their Development XV.
Gibbes, with extensive coaching experience, previously held roles such as director of rugby at La Rochelle and head coach at Ulster. The 46-year-old, who played as a blindside flank and lock, had a successful playing career, making eight Test appearances for New Zealand and playing 68 games for the Chiefs between 2001 and 2008.
Joining Gibbes in his coaching venture are assistants Brad Cooper, Jarrad Hoeata, and Craig Dunlea. The aim is to enhance New Zealand’s performance, especially after a disappointing seventh-place finish in the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.
Expressing his excitement about coaching New Zealand’s emerging talents, Gibbes stated, “It is a privilege to be able to lead our next generation.” He emphasized the responsibility of preparing the young players for international competition.
New Zealand Rugby’s high-performance player development manager, Matt Sexton, highlighted Gibbes’ wealth of experience in both hemispheres, considering it crucial for the U20 team’s development. The coaching group, including Gibbes and his assistants, is expected to play a key role in shaping the young athletes’ professional careers.
In a parallel development, another ex-Waikato and Chiefs captain, Liam Messam, joins Gibbes as part of the Chiefs’ development pathways program. Messam, a 2015 Rugby World Cup winner, will serve as an athlete development coach with a focus on off-field mentoring. Chiefs’ CEO Simon Graafhuis expressed enthusiasm about having Gibbes and Messam back, emphasizing their valuable contributions to the club’s success.
Messam, with 43 Test appearances for the All Blacks and 184 matches for the Chiefs, brings a wealth of experience. Graafhuis sees both Gibbes and Messam as respected leaders capable of guiding young players toward achieving their goals within the Chiefs’ environment.
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