The Chiefs Rugby Club has officially appointed Jono Gibbes as the new Head Coach of the Gallagher Chiefs, confirming a widely anticipated move following his two seasons as an assistant with the team.
Gibbes, 48, replaces outgoing coach Clayton McMillan, who is heading to Irish powerhouse Leinster after five years at the helm. The transition marks a homecoming of sorts for Gibbes, a former Chiefs captain and respected figure in New Zealand rugby, with deep ties to the Waikato region.
“Being part of the organisation for the past two years has given me a real appreciation for what’s been built here and how this team has grown into a consistent, competitive unit,” Gibbes said following the announcement.
“My job now is to help maintain that consistency and keep pushing to unlock the full potential of this team. We have a strong foundation and a lot of talent, so I’m excited about what we can achieve.”
A former loose forward, Gibbes made 132 appearances for Waikato and the Chiefs between 2001 and 2008 and also captained the Māori All Blacks to a famous victory over the British & Irish Lions in 2005. He played eight Test matches for the All Blacks (All Black #1038) before retiring in 2008 and quickly transitioning into coaching.
His coaching résumé includes stints with elite clubs across Europe—Leinster, Ulster, Clermont Auvergne, and La Rochelle—as well as a successful campaign leading Waikato to an NPC title in 2018. Most recently, Gibbes coached the New Zealand Under-20 side in 2023 and 2024 before rejoining the Chiefs in 2024 as an assistant.
Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis said Gibbes’ appointment reflects the club’s commitment to strong internal leadership and continuity.
“This is a natural progression for Jono and for our coaching group,” Graafhuis said. “He understands the fabric of this club, the importance of our Provincial Unions, and the aspirations of our team and community. We’re excited to move forward with Jono at the helm, and I know he’s ready to make our people proud.”
McMillan, who guided the Chiefs to four Super Rugby finals but was unable to secure a title, endorsed his successor.
“Jono brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and a strong connection to the region,” he said. “The coaching, management and playing group has a lot of continuity and cohesion, which is a strong foundation to build from. I have no doubt this group will lead the Chiefs to great things.”
New Zealand Rugby’s General Manager of Professional Rugby and Performance, Chris Lendrum, also praised the appointment.
“Jono is a highly experienced coach who has a deep knowledge of professional rugby environments and has led major rugby programmes in Ireland, France and New Zealand,” said Lendrum. “We are thrilled he has the opportunity to lead the club he gave so much to as a player and continue his significant contribution to our game.”
Gibbes will officially take over as head coach for the 2026 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season, with the Chiefs aiming to convert recent finals appearances into championship success.
