July 21, 2025 • 8 mins
New Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes is grateful to be taking over after two years as an assistant.
The former All Black lock has been signed as Head Coach for the next two Super Rugby seasons, succeeding Munster-bound Clayton McMillan.
Gibbes joined Piney to discuss further.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Duncie Wildergrave
from News Talk Zed be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Let's move to Rugby Union where the Chiefs have confirmed
assistant John O Gibbs will take charge of the Super
Rugby Fanchise, a franchise following the departure of Clayton McMillan.
He's been a Chief's assistant coach for the last couple
of years and now has the top job. He joins
us now, John co congratulations on the role. Was this
(00:33):
a job you were always keen on when you found
out Clayton McMillan was heading offshore.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
I think I was initially dis grateful for the opportunity
to work in the staff, come back home after being
away for a long time, and have an opportunity to
work at the Chief. So I was really grateful for that.
I guess my initial focus was just done adding value
as a consequence of being here and being able to
(01:01):
be have a front row seat and how it all
works and how the system that he's built has created
real consistency. Get the chance to be responsible. Yeah, I
didn't need to be asked twice.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
So here's this opportunity. Then the head coach roll come
a little sooner than you expected it might if you
expected it at all.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Look, I think clayton situation changed probably twelve months earlier
then he thought. But that kind of happened sometimes, and obviously,
you know, the quality of service lent to service that
he had and the transparency allowed him to take up
(01:44):
that opportunity oversee, So it did shift the timeline for
the Chiefs organization a little bit, but certainly just from
my point of view, like I said, I was probably
focused on just trying to get my role nailed on
and trying to add value to the overall program.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Really, so, now you know you are moving into the
top job, how will you go about achieving the balance
sol continuing the things that have been working so well
under Clayton McMillan, and stamping your own mark on this team.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
I think it starts with making sure that we protect
the real core things that have clearly worked, protecting the
way that they prepare for things. And there's just some
you know, obviously environmental things that are unique to the
Chiefs that you must protect and they need to stay
(02:36):
in the core and they need to be your true
north on your compass. So we always for you to
get in difficulty or we're not quite sure, we can
always revert back to a few core things and find
the solutions in there. So I guess that's what you
protect and you keep hold of. I guess stamping your
own mark is around how you can evolve, challenge the
(03:00):
group in a different way and you know, put in
focus maybe a couple of different things in a in
the Chiefs way, And I think protecting that Chiefs way
is pretty important.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Are there any challenges John around going from an assistant
coach to a head coach with essentially the same playing
group and the relationships and how they might change with
those players from one role to the other.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I think I've been lucky enough and the other experiences
that I've had overseas that you know, you can see
the importance of the relationships and the authenticity of the person.
That's what counts the most, not the actual titles. So
(03:47):
I guess for me, you know, I've been lucky enough
to work at the Chiefs, and there's great people at
the Chiefs, both in the playing roster and in the environment.
So I guess for me, it's not around changing just
because the job titles changed, but actually continue to connect
(04:08):
with them, challenge them, turn up, be consistent for them,
and be authentic. I guess that's that's really how I
see the challenge.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Three Grand Finals in three years without winning one, and
we're talking small margins here. How do you plan? How
do you strategize to get the Chiefs over the line
and win one of these things?
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Well, I think, first of all, I'm really grateful for
the opportunity to work on the small margins. The previous
roles that I've had, or the previous clubs that I've
been at, my remit has been around rebuilding a roster,
building a program, starting a fresh all sorts of things
(04:52):
like that. So for me to be able to lead
a program that's looking at the smallest of margins and
working in that minutia for you know, try trying to,
you know, take that last little step, I'm really grateful
for that opportunity. I understand the expectations and the pressure
(05:13):
that goes with that, but you know, on a personal level,
I think it's a great opportunity and a great challenge.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Do you talk with your players about their all blacks aspirations?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
I think as an assistant coach, there is an expectation
that our coaching, our environment, our detail, all that sort
of thing is all geared towards taking players to the
next level. So it's almost it's an unwritten expectation. It's
(05:50):
a very demanding environment. Our chief players are demanding and
they put some high expectations on the coaching staff. But
that's also for us, is that we get to work
with players that are ambitious, that are driven, and that
want to be successful in their own individual careers whilst
(06:12):
creating a really strong collective. So I think there's been
some great stories in the Chiefs over the last few
years around that environment, that consistency of things, that process
which has elevated players to the next level. And again
Saturday night, you know quite a few Chiefs guys getting
the taste of All Black rugby that motivates us all And.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
How does the relationship work. And I'll give you a
specific example. Well, the guy like too, Paul Vai, if
his best use for you is at lock, but the
All Blacks coaches want them to play at six. Do
you feel any pressure in a scenario like that.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
I think the good thing about New Zealand working in
the system that it's not an either or conversation. It's
normally really collaborative. From what I can see, when the
all Black coaches have come into the Chiefs and moment,
it's a pretty open exchange. It's a sharing of point
of view and it's trying to find what works best.
(07:14):
What I would say, and I was asked that question
today in the media, is you know, from our point
of view, we can see that Tupou can do a
lot of good things on the field, either in the
lock or in the sixth position. You know, he's established
himself as a as an international standard player, no doubt
(07:35):
about that. And you know he's he's able to influence
the game in either position. So I'm just really grateful
he plays for us, that we have that type of
player in our pack. And like I said, those conversations
with Razor and his staff, from what I've seen, it's
not either or type situation. It's trying to find the
(08:00):
best for both teams.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
And how did Bev now about this before anybody else?
Speaker 3 (08:06):
He just took a wild guess. I would imagine, Well.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
It wouldn't be the first one. It wouldn't be the
first one.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Yeah, No, I don't know. He must have some well,
let's be there. He's probably got some high level on
the board level friends, so he's got a big impact.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
He doesn't need John No. Congrats on the role mate,
a real feather in your cap and a continuation of
your coaching career. All the best as you plan for
twenty twenty six. Thanks for chatting to us.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Yeah, thank you appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
No, I appreciate you joining us. John O. Gibbs new
head coach of the Chiefs. Can he be the one
to get them across the line.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Duncie Wildergrave
from News Talk Zed be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Let's move to Rugby Union where the Chiefs have confirmed
assistant John O Gibbs will take charge of the Super
Rugby Fanchise, a franchise following the departure of Clayton McMillan.
He's been a Chief's assistant coach for the last couple
of years and now has the top job. He joins
us now, John co congratulations on the role. Was this
(00:33):
a job you were always keen on when you found
out Clayton McMillan was heading offshore.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
I think I was initially dis grateful for the opportunity
to work in the staff, come back home after being
away for a long time, and have an opportunity to
work at the Chief. So I was really grateful for that.
I guess my initial focus was just done adding value
as a consequence of being here and being able to
(01:01):
be have a front row seat and how it all
works and how the system that he's built has created
real consistency. Get the chance to be responsible. Yeah, I
didn't need to be asked twice.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
So here's this opportunity. Then the head coach roll come
a little sooner than you expected it might if you
expected it at all.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Look, I think clayton situation changed probably twelve months earlier
then he thought. But that kind of happened sometimes, and obviously,
you know, the quality of service lent to service that
he had and the transparency allowed him to take up
(01:44):
that opportunity oversee, So it did shift the timeline for
the Chiefs organization a little bit, but certainly just from
my point of view, like I said, I was probably
focused on just trying to get my role nailed on
and trying to add value to the overall program.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Really, so, now you know you are moving into the
top job, how will you go about achieving the balance
sol continuing the things that have been working so well
under Clayton McMillan, and stamping your own mark on this team.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
I think it starts with making sure that we protect
the real core things that have clearly worked, protecting the
way that they prepare for things. And there's just some
you know, obviously environmental things that are unique to the
Chiefs that you must protect and they need to stay
(02:36):
in the core and they need to be your true
north on your compass. So we always for you to
get in difficulty or we're not quite sure, we can
always revert back to a few core things and find
the solutions in there. So I guess that's what you
protect and you keep hold of. I guess stamping your
own mark is around how you can evolve, challenge the
(03:00):
group in a different way and you know, put in
focus maybe a couple of different things in a in
the Chiefs way, And I think protecting that Chiefs way
is pretty important.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Are there any challenges John around going from an assistant
coach to a head coach with essentially the same playing
group and the relationships and how they might change with
those players from one role to the other.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I think I've been lucky enough and the other experiences
that I've had overseas that you know, you can see
the importance of the relationships and the authenticity of the person.
That's what counts the most, not the actual titles. So
(03:47):
I guess for me, you know, I've been lucky enough
to work at the Chiefs, and there's great people at
the Chiefs, both in the playing roster and in the environment.
So I guess for me, it's not around changing just
because the job titles changed, but actually continue to connect
(04:08):
with them, challenge them, turn up, be consistent for them,
and be authentic. I guess that's that's really how I
see the challenge.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Three Grand Finals in three years without winning one, and
we're talking small margins here. How do you plan? How
do you strategize to get the Chiefs over the line
and win one of these things?
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Well, I think, first of all, I'm really grateful for
the opportunity to work on the small margins. The previous
roles that I've had, or the previous clubs that I've
been at, my remit has been around rebuilding a roster,
building a program, starting a fresh all sorts of things
(04:52):
like that. So for me to be able to lead
a program that's looking at the smallest of margins and
working in that minutia for you know, try trying to,
you know, take that last little step, I'm really grateful
for that opportunity. I understand the expectations and the pressure
(05:13):
that goes with that, but you know, on a personal level,
I think it's a great opportunity and a great challenge.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Do you talk with your players about their all blacks aspirations?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
I think as an assistant coach, there is an expectation
that our coaching, our environment, our detail, all that sort
of thing is all geared towards taking players to the
next level. So it's almost it's an unwritten expectation. It's
(05:50):
a very demanding environment. Our chief players are demanding and
they put some high expectations on the coaching staff. But
that's also for us, is that we get to work
with players that are ambitious, that are driven, and that
want to be successful in their own individual careers whilst
(06:12):
creating a really strong collective. So I think there's been
some great stories in the Chiefs over the last few
years around that environment, that consistency of things, that process
which has elevated players to the next level. And again
Saturday night, you know quite a few Chiefs guys getting
the taste of All Black rugby that motivates us all And.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
How does the relationship work. And I'll give you a
specific example. Well, the guy like too, Paul Vai, if
his best use for you is at lock, but the
All Blacks coaches want them to play at six. Do
you feel any pressure in a scenario like that.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
I think the good thing about New Zealand working in
the system that it's not an either or conversation. It's
normally really collaborative. From what I can see, when the
all Black coaches have come into the Chiefs and moment,
it's a pretty open exchange. It's a sharing of point
of view and it's trying to find what works best.
(07:14):
What I would say, and I was asked that question
today in the media, is you know, from our point
of view, we can see that Tupou can do a
lot of good things on the field, either in the
lock or in the sixth position. You know, he's established
himself as a as an international standard player, no doubt
(07:35):
about that. And you know he's he's able to influence
the game in either position. So I'm just really grateful
he plays for us, that we have that type of
player in our pack. And like I said, those conversations
with Razor and his staff, from what I've seen, it's
not either or type situation. It's trying to find the
(08:00):
best for both teams.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
And how did Bev now about this before anybody else?
Speaker 3 (08:06):
He just took a wild guess. I would imagine, Well.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
It wouldn't be the first one. It wouldn't be the
first one.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Yeah, No, I don't know. He must have some well,
let's be there. He's probably got some high level on
the board level friends, so he's got a big impact.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
He doesn't need John No. Congrats on the role mate,
a real feather in your cap and a continuation of
your coaching career. All the best as you plan for
twenty twenty six. Thanks for chatting to us.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Yeah, thank you appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
No, I appreciate you joining us. John O. Gibbs new
head coach of the Chiefs. Can he be the one
to get them across the line.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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