Former All Black Jonno Gibbes has been appointed Leinster forwards coach and will joins Michael Cheika's backroom team at the end of the month after agreeing a two-year deal.
The former Waikato, Chiefs and New Zealand Maori captain was capped eight times for the All Blacks after making his debut in June 2004 against England in Dunedin.
He also led the NZ Maori to victory against the British and Irish Lions on their 2005 tour, plus enjoyed a successful Churchill Cup campaign in 2006 in the same season he captained Waikato to the NPC title.
As backrow forward Gibbes has captained the Chiefs for the last six seasons, making 68 appearances for the Super 14 outfit and scoring 33 points (6 tries, 1 drop goal). At provincial level he played 64 games for Waikato.
On the coaching front Gibbes has completed Level 2 NZRU coaching principles courses in New Zealand. He believes his real coaching qualifications have come from working with some of the best practitioners in the game such as John Mitchell, Warren Gatland and of course Steve Hansen.
"Any player will tell you that the day you finish playing is one of the hardest in your life," said Gibbes. "I have always wanted to coach in a professional set-up and even though I suffered injuries over the last few years, I have gained a lot of experience working with the New Zealand representative teams, Waikato and Chiefs' sides over my professional playing career.
"Leinster are an exciting team and having watched their progress in both the Magners League and Heineken Cup over the last few years under Michael Cheika, I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with what is undoubtedly a hugely talented group of players. Michael has a strong reputation in the southern hemisphere and I have a lot of respect for his approach to the game, coupled with his professionalism.
"The rugby traditions in Ireland are strong and as the reigning Magners League champions, there is a strong core structure to build on. With Alan Gaffney re-joining the club alongside Kurt McQuilkin who has done a good job since his return last year as defence coach, I am also looking forward to working alongside the existing coaching team.
"The province has also recruited strongly in players over the summer months and I am aware of the team's ambition to improve. Rocky Elsom, CJ Van Der Linde and Isa Nacewa have been stalwarts for their franchises in the Super 14 for many years and each will bring their own specific skills and ability to the panel. I am excited about the prospect of joining Leinster at what is a hugely promising period for the team."
Cheika is also delighted to have Gibbes come on board, especially with his knowledge of the new ELV rules. "I am delighted to welcome Jonno to Leinster and I am sure that he will play a significant role in the coaching set-up that we have established.
"He is a hugely ambitious and knowledgeable student of the game with outstanding leadership skills and he will compliment the existing coaching structure in the club very well. Jonno has a real enthusiasm to create and work within a strong rugby culture and I know how excited he is by the prospect of working with this team and in our club.
"Having recently concluded an illustrious playing career, his experience of playing in, coupled with his knowledge of studying the ELV rules will be of enormous benefit to the squad."
