Fiji forwards coach Graham Dewes and New Zealand Under-20s head coach Jono Gibbes have been added the Chiefs coaching group for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Dewes previously represented Chiefs 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 quarterfinals.
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As a coach, he was able to repeat the feat at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where Fiji made the quarters for the third time. Additionally, Dewes has been a specialist forwards and scrum coach for the Blues A, Blues U20s, and the Northland Taniwha since 2020.
“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," said Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis.
Meanwhile, Dewes was thrilled to return to the franchise.
“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 Chiefs coaching group.
“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," said Gibbes.
Dewes and Gibbes step into their new roles this week to prepare the Chiefs for their upcoming season.
Former coaches Nick White and Ross Filipo have departed to pursue other opportunities in 2025