Fiji forwards coach Graham Dewes and New Zealand U20s head coach Jono Gibbes are to add their expertise to the Gallagher Chiefs as Assistant Coaches for the upcoming DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.
Dewes previously represented Chiefs Country provinces Counties Manukau and Thames Valley. He also played 28 games for Fiji and was part of one of their most successful squads that made it to the 2007 Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals.
As a coach, he was able to repeat the feat at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where Fiji made the Quarter Finals for the third time ever. Additionally, Dewes has been a specialist forwards and scrum coach for the Blues A, Blues U20s, and the Northland Taniwha since 2020.
Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis said: “We are glad to have coaches of Graham and Jono’s calibre as part of the team. Graham has jumped the ranks a bit by going from NPC to international coaching, but having the experience he’s gained with us for the coming season will be a real asset.”
Dewes said: “I’m honoured to join the Chiefs rugby family as scrum coach for 2025. This is an incredible opportunity to work alongside world-class players, coaching staff and management. I’m excited for the challenges ahead and eager to build on the strong foundation already set in place.”
Gibbes returned to the Chiefs ahead of the 2024 season in a Resource Coach role, working across all of the club’s teams. The former Waikato, Chiefs and Māori All Blacks captain’s equally decorated coaching resume will add a lot of knowledge to the Gallagher Chiefs coaching group.
“Jono has already contributed a lot to the club since re-joining us at the end of last year, and we are grateful that he has extended his role for the 2025 season,” said Graafhuis. “He is well respected by the players and staff, and we look forward to seeing the team’s development with his additional involvement,” said Graafhuis.
Gibbes said: “I’m thrilled to be more involved with the Gallagher Chiefs this season and have the privilege of being part of coaching the team I once played for. We have a superb group of hardworking men who are great to work with, so it’s an exciting opportunity to help them succeed.”
Dewes and Gibbes step into their new roles this week to prepare the Gallagher Chiefs for their upcoming season.
