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Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 9:34 am
by prawnsarnies

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 9:37 am
by prawnsarnies
For anyone who doesn't have a subscription:

RUGBY UNION

Ulster to appoint All Black Gibbes as new head coach

Peter O’Reilly

February 12 2017, 12:01am, The Sunday Times

[http://feeds]

Fresh face: Jono Gibbes is set to be announced at Ulter’s head coachDAN SHERIDAN

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Ulster are set to announce Jono Gibbes as their incoming head coach for next season, according to well-placed sources. The 40-year-old former All Black will replaced Neil Doak on a two-year contract, teaming up with director of rugby, Les Kiss.

Currently assistant coach at Clermont Auvergne, Gibbes has strong connections with Irish rugby, having been Leinster’s forwards coach for six seasons between 2008-14.

During that period, they won six trophies: three Heineken Cups, one European Challenge Cup and two Pro12s. He surely comes with Joe Schmidt’s imprimatur, having worked alongside Schmidt for three of those six seasons.

Two years ago, Gibbes signed a contract to stay at Clermont until 2018 but it’s understood he has a release clause in the event of being offered a head coaching role. He was in the running for the top job at Queensland Reds last summer before the Reds appointed ex-Wallaby, Nick Stiles.

The entire make-up of Ulster’s coaching staff for next season is unclear but there are sure to be further changes, as both Doak and assistant coach Allen Clarke are moving on.

Gibbes comes with a decent understanding of the province’s strengths and weaknesses, having prepared Clermont for two Champions Cup pool games this season. He made his debut for New Zealand in 2004, captained the Maori team that beat the British & Irish Lions in 2005 but only won eight caps for the All Blacks.

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 10:23 am
by Dave
Get in!

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 10:39 am
by Gerald the Mole
Really the head coach, or forwards coach, but using the title to allow the get out clause, was he not also linked to the Connacht gig.

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 10:57 am
by Snipe Watson
Gerald the Mole wrote:Really the head coach, or forwards coach, but using the title to allow the get out clause, was he not also linked to the Connacht gig.
Thanks for the positivity Gerry.
Great move from UR.
Leaves room for Ruan as backs coach! Every week that passes, I'm more convinced that this is going to happen.

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:09 am
by Rooster
Well I think Gibbes is a better choice than the rumoured Hewett

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:11 am
by damianmcr
So this is good news I take it? No idea about him

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:12 am
by Snipe Watson
Rooster wrote:Well I think Gibbes is a better choice than the rumoured Hewett
He has served his time in Europe, it still wanted by the best team in Europe. Experience as a player and coach. What's not to like?

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:13 am
by 222toHounslow
Top news

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:19 am
by Dharper
Hmmm. Sounds too good to be true to me.
Gibbs's wouldn't be coming here for the money. So is it the prospect of being the main man, with a shout of the Ireland job after Schmidt leaves? If he was to be coming I'm sure it's with the assurance of a "no interference" policy. Surprised an Eng Prem job wouldn't appeal more.
.....believe it when I see it.

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:26 am
by 222toHounslow
Will you lay off those negative waves?

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:45 am
by Dave
Snipe Watson wrote:
Gerald the Mole wrote:Really the head coach, or forwards coach, but using the title to allow the get out clause, was he not also linked to the Connacht gig.
Thanks for the positivity Gerry.
Great move from UR.
Leaves room for Ruan as backs coach! Every week that passes, I'm more convinced that this is going to happen.
For next season? The coach would be better than the players.

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 12:17 pm
by BaggyTrousers
Previously lived in Ireland, albeit the shithole part, where they speak a version of his mother tongue, coming in with a DOR who has shown little or no control over his underlings. Sounds too good to be true for a man of ambition. Sound move.

On a practical point of view which has so far gone unstated, who does not remember the soft ladyboys pack before Gibbes went there and they quickly became a Heiny winning pack.

I consider this to be a bloody magnificent piece of news if true. Dave Hewett has a glittering career as a forwards coach also but unlike Gibbes, European rugby & Ireland would be new to him. Gibbes experience would make him the better option of two talented guys in my opinion.

We may in our conjecture & pontification assume that "Head Coach" just helps trigger his get out clause, but I'd be rather surprised if he would come to a failing club from a top outfit merely for a sideways move as forwards coach. I would say he will make his decisions, with Les perhaps but not as an entire underling.

Les also wins, assuming it's true, he is clearly moved one step removed from direct responsibility, rather in the mode of Dr Dave, but able to bask in reflected glory, should such a thing come about.

Best of all, he's not from Lisburn. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 12:20 pm
by therealspratt
Gibbes would be an outstanding acquisition, did some excellent work at Connacht in developing their pool of forwards and seems to have gotten on well at Clermont.

Re: Jono Gibbes - New Head Coach

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 12:46 pm
by Cockatrice
Not sure about the one step removed because is he not coming as Head Coach the same title that Doak had. Obviously we won't need the current Forward Coach on the basis that Gibbs probably know one end of a scrum from the other.. I'm

Elsewhere Not sure why anyone thinks that just because your a good player you automatically become a good coach overnight..

Can't wait to see what happens to the first forward that tells Gibbs 'I know how to jump in a line out go coach someone that isn't an international' because that should be a fun day.

Otherwise sounds like a sound recruitment and some who already knows the internal issues that come with coaching in Aaireland.. If Hewitt was second choice and didn't make/want it it says a lot for the first choice who said no and none of them live in Lisburn.

Well done certainly a step forward..

Anyone think that Stringer would make a good backs coach or that BOD is wasted and would have made a great coach..