Jonathan Brian Gibbes (born 22 January 1977) is a

rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...

former player and coach. He is a former New Zealand

player who captained , the Chiefs and the

Māori All Blacks The Māori All Blacks, previously called the New Zealand Maori, New Zealand Maoris and New Zealand Natives, are a rugby union team from New Zealand. They are a representative team of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and a prerequisite for playing i ...

, and appeared in various

All Blacks The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks ( mi, Ōpango), represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. The team won the Rugby World Cup in 1987 ...

teams. He is the former forwards coach of

Leinster Leinster ( ; ga, Laighin or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, situated in the southeast and east of Ireland. The province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige. Following the 12th-century Norman invasion of Ir ...

in Ireland and

Clermont Auvergne Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne () is a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system. Clermont are two times French ...

in France while also serving as head coach of

Ulster Ulster (; ga, Ulaidh or ''Cúige Uladh'' ; sco, label= Ulster Scots, Ulstèr or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional Irish provinces. It is made up of nine counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United King ...

in Ireland, and was the director of rugby at

La Rochelle La Rochelle (, , ; Poitevin-Saintongeais: ''La Rochéle''; oc, La Rochèla ) is a city on the west coast of France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department. With ...

Rugby playing career

Gibbes traditionally played at the position of Blindside Flanker, or No.6, but has also played at Lock. Due to his height of 194 cm, he was overlooked by the All Black selectors for being too short for an international class lock. Weighing 109 kg, Gibbes's career was plagued by injury. Nonetheless, his line-out jumping skills were impressive, and under the guidance of John Mitchell was selected as captain of the Waikato NPC team in 2003. Despite various appearances for the All Blacks, Gibbes highest career achievement was captaining the NZ Maori to their first ever victory over the

British & Irish Lions The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Lions are a test side and most often select players who have already played for their national ...

19–13. During the match, which was played at Waikato and Chiefs home ground of

Waikato Stadium FMG Stadium Waikato is a major sporting and cultural events venue in Hamilton, New Zealand, with a total capacity of 25,800. Four areas contribute to this capacity: The Brian Perry Stand holding 12,000, the WEL Networks Stand holding 8,000, the ...

, Gibbes was on the ground suffering from cramp but staggered to his feet to make a try-saving tackle. On 13 June 2006, it was announced that Gibbes would be joining the Ospreys in Wales. On 6 September 2006 however, the NZRU and Waikato announced that he has signed a new three-year contract with them. The 2007 season saw Gibbes remain in New Zealand and continue with the Chiefs, with injury again affecting his availability.

Rugby coaching career

In July 2008 it was announced that Gibbes had been appointed as forwards coach of

in Ireland. In February 2017 it was announced that Gibbes had been appointed as head coach of

in Ireland, on a two-year contract from the 2017/18 season. In March 2018 he announced he was leaving Ulster to return to New Zealand for family reasons after only one season

A few days later it was revealed he would take over as coach at Waikato, a move he described as a product of his need to find employment following his decision to move home

However, in June 2018, less than three months after his departure from Ulster to return to New Zealand was made public it was revealed he would become head coach of La Rochelle in France

Rory Best has subsequently written of his disappointment at the manner of Gibbes’ exit from Ulster

References

External links

Leinster Rugby Staff Profile
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gibbes, Jono Living people 1977 births Chiefs (rugby union) players Māori All Blacks players New Zealand international rugby union players New Zealand people of Rotuman descent New Zealand sportspeople of Polynesian descent New Zealand rugby union coaches New Zealand rugby union players People from Auckland Rugby union flankers Rugby union locks Ulster Rugby non-playing staff Waikato rugby union players