Former All Black set for dual coaching role with New Zealand U20s and Chiefs

Former All Blacks and Chiefs utility forward Jono Gibbes is set to resume his coaching career after it was confirmed that he will be taking on two positions in New Zealand in 2023.

Gibbes, who was fired from his position as Top 14 club Clermont-Auvergne’s head coach in January after a two-year stint, was appointed as the New Zealand U20 team’s new coach as well as a resource coach for the Chiefs, where he will also take charge of their Development XV.

Plenty of experience

Apart from his role at Clermont, Gibbes was also director of rugby at La Rochelle from 2018 to 2021.

He was also Ulster’s head coach in 2017 and 2018 and had a similar role at Waikato in 2018, while he served as forwards coach at Leinster (2008 to 2014) and Clermont (2014 to 2017).

Th 46-year-old, who played as a blindside flank and lock, made eight Test appearances for New Zealand from 2004 to 2005 and also played 68 games for the Chiefs between 2001 and 2008.

The former Waikato and Chiefs captain will be joined by Brad Cooper, Jarrad Hoeata and Craig Dunlea, who will serve as his assistants, as New Zealand aim to improve on a poor overall performance in this year’s World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa where they finished in seventh position from 12 competing countries in the competition.

Gibbes is excited by the prospect of coaching New Zealand’s up-and-coming stars.

“For me, it is a privilege to be able to lead our next generation. We are fortunate to have a talented cohort of individuals to work with and give them the tools to showcase their talent,” he said.

“As a coaching group we are under no illusion, the competition on the world stage is fierce. It is our responsibility as a coaching group, to ensure this young group have the best preparation to proudly wear the black jersey.”

New Zealand Rugby’s high performance player development manager, Matt Sexton, believes Gibbes’ vast experience and success as a coach in both Southern and Northern hemisphere rugby will stand him in good stead with the New Zealand U20 team.

“Securing the calibre of coaches that we have is crucial for the continued development in the evolving Under 20s environment,” he said. “Jono’s experience is invaluable, couple that with Brad, Jarrad and Craig, we expect they will be instrumental in the development of these young athletes for their next stages of their career as a professional players.”

Meanwhile, Gibbes is joined by another ex-Waikato and Chiefs skipper Liam Messam as part of the Chiefs development pathways programme which will see them work closely with the University of Waikato Chiefs’ U20s, the Chiefs and Chiefs Manawa teams.

Messam will serve as an athlete development coach with a particular focus on off-field mentoring of players.

The Chiefs’ chief executive Simon Graafhuis is thrilled to have duo back at the Hamilton-based outfit.

“To have the expertise of Jono and Liam mentoring and developing our future and current Chiefs will be a true asset to the club,” he said. “We know that identifying, capturing and nurturing the abundance of talent within our region is key to our lasting success and Jono will be instrumental in establishing a rugby development framework to ensure we do this effectively.”

Another decorated playing career

Just like Gibbs, Messam had a decorated playing career. The 2015 Rugby World Cup winner made 43 Test appearances for the All Blacks between 2008 and 2015 and played 184 matches for the Chiefs.

The 39-year-old also plied his trade in Japan and France as a player in recent years before returning to New Zealand during Covid-19 to reconnect with Waikato for New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.

“As our most capped Chief, Liam is a legend of the club and to have him continue his close involvement with us is fantastic,” said Graafhuis.

“As leaders who have already tread the path many of our young players are looking to follow, Jono and Liam are respected and best suited to help them achieve their goals. We look forward to seeing the influence they have on our players and environment within their new roles.”

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