Graham Dewes, the forwards coach for the Flying Fijians, has signed on with the Waikato Chiefs for the 2025 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season. His expertise as a specialist scrums coach is viewed as a valuable asset for the Chiefs, especially following the impressive quarterfinal performance of the Fijian team in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Joining Dewes at the Chiefs will be Jono Gibbes, the head coach of the New Zealand Under 20s, who will serve as an assistant coach for the franchise. Dewes has a significant background in rugby, having previously played for the Chiefs Country provinces of Counties Manukau and Thames Valley, as well as representing Fiji in 28 matches and contributing to their successful run to the quarterfinals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Chiefs Chief Executive Simon Graafhuis expressed confidence in the selection, stating, “We are glad to have coaches of Graham and Jono’s calibre as part of the team.” He acknowledged Dewes’s rapid progression from NPC to international coaching, citing how his experience will be a tremendous asset in the upcoming season.
Dewes himself expressed excitement about the role, stating, “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 has also become an integral part of the Chiefs, having returned ahead of the 2024 season in a Resource Coach role that spans across all teams within the club. Graafhuis noted Gibbes’s positive contributions since rejoining the Chiefs and praised his well-respected status among staff and players.
This development signals a hopeful future for the Waikato Chiefs, combining experienced coaching talents with a fresh perspective to enhance their competitive edge in the upcoming season. The integration of seasoned coaches like Dewes and Gibbes could lead to significant growth for the team, building on their existing strengths and fostering new tactics on the field.
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