Jonno Gibbes joins Leinster backroom team

juvenal

Another nice addition It's shaping up to be another good season. Lets hope we can push on and really be in the mix come Edinburgh next May.

The Irish Times Sports wrote:

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."

zAbbo

Thats quite an impressive coaching ticket which has been put in place

RuggieBear

I remain to be convicned...he has no coaching pedigree.

bamboozle

how on earth can anyone be impressed with that addition? he's no coaching pedigree, he's not from Leinster, he's not from Ireland, he hasnt played in the magner's or Heiniken cup he has not played in the northern himisphere so he wont know too many of the players or venues or teams styles of play.

Surely there are plenty of coaches in the AIL who deserve the role b4 an ex all black with no coaching experience. or at least surely there are plenty of former Leinster players who deserve the opportunity, the likes of Liam Toland and Emmett Byrne are learning their trade in the AIL and it must be a kick in the teeth for them to see someone like Gibbs gazumping home grown players and coaches.

zAbbo

How would that be a shot in the arm?

mousey007

are there no Irish coaches left out there?

mikedragon32

I know we have to be mindful of other teams' style of play, but surely an appointment like this is going to give the Leinster pack a new dimension and alter their style of play.

Knowledge of the ELV's is crucial, particularly for the forwards.

dub_skav

mikedragon32 wrote: »

Knowledge of the ELV's is crucial, particularly for the forwards.

That's actually a good point.
I'd wait for more details before lambasting the appointment, he might be one of a forward coaching team??

tughfc

Personally think its a bit of a bizarre appointment, the guy doesn't have much experience as a coach at all , he may of been a good player but if your a good player doesn't mean your a good coach!!

Is he the main forwards coach or what is the story there??

[Jackass]

It's all about the ELVs I reckon.

Plus with the likes of CJ & Rocky experienced in it it must be an advatage. The ONLY thing is, I would love to have LeRoux in the coaching set up. I think he was more or less the reason Leinsters pack was so dominant last season, he was as much a coach as a player in the set up and probably one of the meanest and wiley (?) scrumagers out there which I think had a massive impact on Stans game.

But hopefully next year we can bring him back.

Not a bad appointment imo and I have to say I'm very happy with the coaching set-up we have going into next season and a fresh approach and fresh ideas.

juvenal

tughfc wrote: »

Personally think its a bit of a bizarre appointment, the guy doesn't have much experience as a coach at all , he may of been a good player but if your a good player doesn't mean your a good coach!!

Is he the main forwards coach or what is the story there??

It's a little unusual, but am I not correct in thinking that Chieka is the head coach who's expertise lies in the forwards? He is a former no.8, and I was under the impression that he was more responsible for the forwards while Knox was assistant and backs coach.

Perhaps Gibbes has been brought in as an understudy of sorts, with experience of the ELV's and a different approach given his playing background?

edit:According to the website, the coaching staff are;

Michael Cheika - Head coach
Kurt McQuilkin - Defensive coach
Alan Gaffney - Backs coach

I would imagine that Cheika will oversee the forwards with Gibbes as an assistant?

tughfc

just don't understand why they didn't go with someone with a bit more experience, plus it's a different game over here and with somebody that i wouldn't even rate as a coach in the southern hemisphere(but would rate as a player) just doesn't make much sence. yes i know the elvs are coming in but he wouldn't of had a vast experience of these laws either,

just think it's a big job to be giving someone who has no coaching qualities as of yet!!

Podge_irl

juvenal wrote: »

It's a little unusual, but am I not correct in thinking that Chieka is the head coach who's expertise lies in the forwards? He is a former no.8, and I was under the impression that he was more responsible for the forwards while Knox was assistant and backs coach.

I'm not sure of the exact set-up, but Mike Brewer was the forwards coach for the last 2/3 years and Cheika was designated as just the Head Coach.

juvenal

Podge_irl wrote: »

I'm not sure of the exact set-up, but Mike Brewer was the forwards coach for the last 2/3 years and Cheika was designated as just the Head Coach.

Am I right it thinking that Brewer has left?

P_1

juvenal wrote: »

Am I right it thinking that Brewer has left?

Yes

Hansel

[Jackass] wrote: »

The ONLY thing is, I would love to have LeRoux in the coaching set up...

Don't be too surprised if you see him as a registered player for the upcoming season.;)

[Jackass]

I'm pretty sure he will be registered regardless, even though he's not contracted to Leinster. He said when he left that he would love to come back to Leinster some time and he's only ever a phone call away...so no harm having him in there...

Pinetree Boy

I am surprised at this. Would have thought he would need at least some lower level experience first. As for ELVs- he hardly played a game in the super 14 so noit sure what he will add.

The NH seems to have become a training ground for SH coaches. Todd Blackadder, Craig Dowd etc. Not sure this is a godd thing for he local game.