Graham Dewes, the forwards coach for the Flying Fijians, is set to join the Waikato Chiefs as the scrum coach for the 2025 Shop and Save Super Rugby Pacific season. This move comes on the heels of the impressive performance by the Fijian team, who reached the quarterfinals in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, leading Chiefs management to view Dewes as a valuable addition to their coaching staff.
Alongside Dewes, Jono Gibbes, the head coach for the New Zealand Under 20s, will also join the Chiefs as an assistant coach. Dewes, who has previously played for Chiefs Country provinces Counties Manukau and Thames Valley, brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having represented Fiji in 28 matches and contributing to their notable 2007 Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals run.
Chiefs Chief Executive Simon Graafhuis expressed enthusiasm for having both Dewes and Gibbes on board, recognizing Dewes’s impressive transition from NPC coaching to an international level, which he believes will greatly benefit the team. Dewes himself expressed his excitement about the opportunity to work with top-tier players and coaching staff, highlighting his eagerness to build on the existing foundation at the Chiefs.
Gibbes has been valued since his return to the Chiefs prior to the 2024 season, serving in a Resource Coach role and working across all teams. Graafhuis acknowledged Gibbes’s already significant contributions and his respected status among players and staff, anticipating positive growth for the team with his expanded role in 2025.
This development signals a bright future for the Chiefs, with a strong coaching lineup poised to enhance the team’s performance in the coming seasons. The collaboration between experienced coaches and talented players could lead to exciting results for the franchise.
In summary, the Chiefs are bolstering their coaching staff with the addition of Graham Dewes and Jono Gibbes, which could lead to improved performance and greater success in the future.
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