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Jono Gibbes makes sensational U-turn to leave Waikato in lurch

New La Rochelle Director of Rugby Jono Gibbes

Jono Gibbes stint with Waikato will be a short one. He’s decided to sensationally leave the club in November, despite signing a two-year contract.

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It’s been confirmed the former Ulster head coach has agreed a four-year deal with French Top 14 club to act as their Sporting Director.

In a statement La Rochelle said “The Club made the arrival of the former Head Coach of the Uster its priority. For his part, Jono Gibbes showed great interest in the Stade Rochelais project but had to go to New Zealand for family reasons, where he had committed for a few months with Waikato.”

“Jono Gibbes has the ideal profile, the club offered him, after reflection, to postpone his taking office to enable him to solve his personal problem and honour his commitment to Waikato.”

Gibbes will work with head coach Gregory Patat and backs coach Xavier Garbajosa. He is due to arrive at the club in November once Waikato’s Mitre 10 season is over.

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“Jono Gibbes will ensure the sports management of the Stade Rochelais, with responsibility for developing the performance of our professional team and that of our training.” the statement added.

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Patrice Collazo stepped down as head coach of La Rochelle in May after the side failed to qualify for the Top 14 play-offs. He has since been appointed by Toulon.

Gibbes was released from Ulster on compassionate grounds to return to coach Waikato for family reasons. His visit to La Rochelle days before his sides PRO 14 playoff match soured his reputation at the Northern Ireland club, with many unhappy he was considering taking a role at La Rochelle after requesting a release to return to New Zealand.

The visit even stunned the Waikato Rugby Union who were expecting Gibbes to arrive back in New Zealand. Waikato announced his signature in May for the upcoming Mitre 10 season.

The eight-Test All Black announced in March that he was leaving Ulster at the end of the PRO14 season, and was announced as Waikato’s new head coach shortly after.

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Gibbes replaced Sean Botherway at Waikato, who resigned after leading the province through one of their worst seasons where they notched just two wins and were relegated from the Premiership division of the competition.

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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