The Fijian Drua has announced the appointment of Chris Gibbes as the new Forwards Coach for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Men. Gibbes brings a wealth of experience from his coaching roles with teams like the Hurricanes, Wellington, and Waikato, and will focus on preparing the Drua forwards for the upcoming Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific seasons.
Gibbes has an impressive coaching portfolio, having served as Senior Assistant Coach at the Hurricanes from 2019 to 2023 and leading the Maori All Blacks to a notable 32-17 victory over Ireland in 2018. He has also been the Head Coach for Wellington in the NPC, where he led the team to promotion and reached the semifinals, in addition to coaching Waikato in 2008 and serving as Forwards Coach for Japan during the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
As a player, he participated in 44 matches across various teams from 1994 to 2002. Gibbes expressed his excitement about joining the Drua, emphasizing his ties to Fiji and his desire to make a positive impact.
“Joining this Club is incredibly exciting, and I’m determined to contribute to the strong foundation that has already been laid. The Drua boasts an impressive playing roster, skilled backroom staff, and a motivated coaching team that I am eager to be a part of. My connection to Fiji is significant; my grandmother hails from Rotuma and my father was born in Suva, making this opportunity particularly special for me. I am looking forward to deepening this connection and to getting started,” he stated.
Fijian Drua Chief Executive Officer Mark Evans praised Gibbes’ credentials and alignment with the team’s vision, noting his relevance to a youthful squad.
“Chris has a terrific record in New Zealand and other rugby markets. He is the ideal mentor for our forwards as we aim to make a more substantial impact in Super Rugby Pacific. His focus on establishing dominance in the pack aligns well with the plans of our incoming Head Coach Glen Jackson for the upcoming season. Moreover, having another coach with head coach experience will be invaluable for our young players,” Evans remarked.
Gibbes takes over from Greg Fleming, who has transitioned to the role of Defense Coach.