Jono Gibbes has been announced as Clayton McMillan’s replacement as head coach of the Chiefs.
Gibbes, a former assistant at the Chiefs, is a former New Zealand under-20 coach. He has also had international coaching experience at Leinster, Clermont Auvergne, La Rochelle, and Ulster.
He will begin this year ahead of the 2026 season after McMillan’s departure for Munster in Ireland, where McMillan will be head coach.
“Being part of the organisation for the past two years has given me a real appreciation for what’s been built here and how this team has grown into a consistent, competitive unit,” said Gibbes.
“My job now is to help maintain that consistency and keep pushing to unlock the full potential of this team. We have a strong foundation and a lot of talent, so I’m excited about what we can achieve.”
Gibbes, 48, a former loose forward or lock who captained Waikato and the Chiefs, also captained the NZ Māori and played eight Tests for the All Blacks.
He retired from playing in 2008.
Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis said the club was proud to continue its legacy of strong leadership and commitment to developing talent within the Chiefs region.
“This is a natural progression for Jono and for our coaching group,” said Graafhuis.
“He understands the fabric of this club, the importance of our provincial unions, and the aspirations of our team and community. We’re excited to move forward with Jono at the helm, and I know he’s ready to make our people proud.”
McMillan, who led the Chiefs to three consecutive Super Rugby grand finals without success, said: “Jono brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and a strong connection to the region. The coaching, management and playing group has a lot of continuity and cohesion, which is a strong foundation to build from.”