Chris Gibbes leaving Hurricanes, won’t apply to be head coach

Chris Gibbes.
Photo: Marty Melville

Chris Gibbes won’t be the new Hurricanes head coach.

The current assistant coach to Jason Holland at the Super Rugby side, Gibbes has announced he will step down from the role at the end of this season.

With Holland leaving the Hurricanes to become an All Blacks assistant from next year, the team is looking for a new head coach, and Gibbes had been considered a possible contender.

However, Gibbes said that “the time was right to head home” to Te Awamutu, deciding against seeking renewal of his contract after four seasons at the club.

“My family is the most important thing to me. I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, so as hard as this decision was, it became a simple one. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in Wellington and at the Canes, but I’m ready for a new direction, and I’m looking forward to being home with my family.

“I’ve decided to step away from my role with the Canes and not apply for the head coach role.

“The Hurricanes is an awesome organisation and I feel privileged for the time I’ve had here.”

The Hurricanes plan to announce replacements Holland and Gibbes at the end of the Super Rugby season.

Gibbes said he is excited about what the future holds but for now, he says, “there’s still a job to do.”

“My focus right now is to get this job done with this competition, and that’s all I’m thinking about.”

He admits he will always keep a close eye on the Hurricanes progress and expects them to only get better in the future.

“I believe the Canes have some of the strongest players and set-up in the competition and I know they’ll find some great coaches to continue the work that we’ve done for the last few years.

“The club’s heading in the right direction, and I wish them all the best for the foreseeable future.

“I want to say thanks to the players and the staff I’ve worked with over the past four years and, finally, the fans for their incredible support,” said Gibbes.

Hurricanes boss Avan Lee said Gibbes will leave a hole.

“Gibbo has been fantastic for us over the last four years and added real value to our coaching group and organisation. He is fiercely determined, loyal, committed and has a genuine passion for coaching.

“We will miss him a lot but completely understand his reasoning for wanting to be closer to his family. We wish him all the very best for the future and look forward to farewelling him formally at the end of the season function.”

Gibbes has an extensive coaching resume, first leading Waikato to two NPC finals as well as Ranfurly Shield success, before gaining international experience as forwards coach with Japan, Georgia, the New Zealand under-20s, Māori All Blacks and Welsh Pro 14 side Ospreys.

He left Ospreys after four years to take up the Wellington head coaching job in 2017, immediately leading them to promotion back into the premiership division before making the semifinals in his second season in 2018. Gibbes then joined the Hurricanes ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season.