The Chiefs have added former All Blacks forward Jono Gibbes and ex-Fiji international Graham Dewes to their coaching staff ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Gibbes, 47, and Dewes, 42, have been named as assistant coaches for the 2025 campaign, with the duo set to work under head coach Clayton McMillan this year.
A former coach at Leinster, Clermont and La Rochelle, Gibbes returned to the Chiefs ahead of the 2024 season in a position that covered all of the club’s teams.
Excited to get started
Now the former Waikato, Chiefs and Māori All Blacks captain has been handed a new role on their staff as the Chiefs look to go one better in Super Rugby Pacific.
“Jono has already contributed a lot to the club since re-joining us at the end of last year, and we are grateful that he has extended his role for the 2025 season,” said Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis.
“He is well respected by the players and staff, and we look forward to seeing the team’s development with his additional involvement.”
Gibbes said: “I’m thrilled to be more involved with the Gallagher Chiefs this season and have the privilege of being part of coaching the team I once played for.
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“We have a superb group of hardworking men who are great to work with, so it’s an exciting opportunity to help them succeed.”
Dewes, who previously represented Chiefs Country provinces Counties Manukau and Thames Valley, also played 28 games for Fiji and was part of one of their most successful squads that made it to the 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
As a coach, he was able to repeat the feat at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where Fiji made the last-eight for just the third time. Additionally, Dewes has been a specialist forwards and scrum coach for the Blues A, Blues U20s, and the Northland Taniwha since 2020.
“We are glad to have coaches of Graham and Jono’s calibre as part of the team,” Graafhuis continued.
Honoured to join Chiefs
“Graham has jumped the ranks a bit by going from NPC to international coaching, but having the experience he’s gained with us for the coming season will be a real asset.”
Dewes said: “I’m honoured to join the Chiefs rugby family as scrum coach for 2025. This is an incredible opportunity to work alongside world-class players, coaching staff and management.
“I’m excited for the challenges ahead and eager to build on the strong foundation already set in place.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/chiefs-add-ex-all-black-and-fiji-forwards-guru-to-their-coaching-ticket
