Jono Gibbes is the new Chiefs head coach
Jono Gibbes’ first pre-season in charge of the Chiefs rugby franchise is underway.
Te Awamutu’s Jono Gibbes is the new Chiefs head coach. Photo: Jesse Wood
The former player and assistant coach – and Te Awamutu Sports player – has transitioned smoothly into his new role as head coach after the departure of Clayton McMillan.
Pre-season training started last week.
“I think it’s a real privilege to have this responsibility. I had some great memories in my time as a player here a long, long time ago,” Gibbes said,
“Having the privilege of being able to be in this environment for the last two years, see what it’s been built upon, see what they really hang their hat on here, and what matters and what’s important – I really feel I’m in a place that I belong in.
Gibbes has been in the job for a while now but the planning stages are over and it’s action time.
“I’ve been pretty busy in the off-season with the transition, taking over, understanding the whole organisation.
“Making those new relationships on both sides of the building, understanding the responsibility that goes along with the position of head coach,” Gibbes said.
“Then obviously strategy, analysis, philosophy sort of things, organisation, there’s a lot that goes on.
“But it gets to a point where it’s all theory and really now the excitement and the energy in the building is because we’re actually doing things.
“It’s stimulating, there’s good energy around the place and we’re hungry to work.”
Jono Gibbes at a coaching clinic at Pirongia Rugby Sports Club earlier this year. Photo: Julie Gibson
After the first few days of pre-season training he’s found it “energising”.
“I’ve found the first few days really energising. I get my energy from the people around me,” Gibbes said.
“There’s been a lot of theory, planning and discussions. But now we’re in together and we’re working.
“For me, I can feed off that energy of the staff here, the assistant coaches, and we’re just hungry to get into it and try and make these three weeks really count.”
All Blacks back Emoni Narawa is on his return from injury – a great early addition to the squad’s early training.
Chris Gibbes (from left), Jono Gibbes and Ian Foster all played rugby for Te Awamutu Sports.
“Jono has been great. He’s no stranger to being in the Chiefs environment. He’s been an assistant coach for the last couple of years,” Narawa said.
“He’s quite old school with his ways. Something I admire about him is he’s always wanting to learn from the players.
“Jono’s definitely going to bring a lot of experience. We’re looking forward to the new challenge and working with him.
“He knows how we want to play, and I guess the next three weeks of pre-season, it’s just about building the foundation. That’s our fitness, work in the gym and our skills on the grass.
“The Chiefs’ way of playing is always different, and a bit of flair. The DNA is always there.”
Gibbes said after a few years with the franchise, he recognises what makes the Chiefs so consistent.
“[You can recognise] what’s made it really strong and what it’s built on. You respect that and you protect that. There’s a lot of things in the system of preparation,” Gibbes said.
“There’s a lot of things that make up the Chiefs’ DNA that you want to protect, keep in place and keep building on.
“But then obviously where I put my lens on things, is slightly different to Clayton’s. But that’s not unusual.
“We always have to keep finding a way to evolve and take our game to another level.”
Jono Gibbes is the new Chiefs head coach. Photo: Julie Gibson
