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La Rochelle have an 'agreement' with ex-Ulster coach Gibbes - report

Gibbes trip to La Rochelle has left a sour taste in Ulster mouthes

Top 14  club La Rochelle is still pursuing former Ulster coach Jono Gibbes to fill the vacant Director of Rugby position according to reports by French newspaper L’Equipe.

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Gibbes, now with the Waikato Mitre 10 side, was released from Ulster on compassionate grounds to return to coach Waikato for family reasons. His visit to La Rochelle days before his sides PRO 14 playoff match soured his reputation at the Northern Ireland club, with many unhappy he was considering taking over the head coaching role at La Rochelle after requesting a release to return to New Zealand.

The visit even stunned the Waikato Rugby Union who were expecting Gibbes to arrive back in New Zealand.  Waikato announced his signature in May for the upcoming Mitre 10 season.

However, links to La Rochelle are persistent with a new report by L’Equipe claiming that Gibbes could still join the side following the Mitre 10 season in November.

“According to our information, the track leading to Jono Gibbes has not been abandoned by Stade Rochelais.”

The report claims that an “agreement” has been reached between Gibbes and La Rochelle which allows Gibbes the possibility of arriving in November to enable him to solve his “personal problems” while back in New Zealand coaching Waikato. He would fill the Director of Rugby position midway through the season or else the club will continue without a Director of Rugby.

The open-ended nature of the agreement leaves the “ball in the camp of Jono Gibbes”.

In other news:

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M
Mzilikazi 1 hour ago
Matt Faessler: ‘To be involved in a home World Cup would be just next level’

Thanks for the article, Brett. I must say I am disappointed that the Reds have lost both games against the two top teams from NZ they have played so far this year. I feel they should be more advanced under Les Kiss and his coaching team in what is now the second year of tenure.


The lineout, which you highlight in the article, is an obvious standout. Matt Faessler is shaping as a standout finisher of mauls, but that ability is wasted if the throw/lift/catch element is a shambles.


Also very disappointing so often is the ability to spread the ball wide using the “out the back” type passes well. Just watch Scotland, even currently weak Wales, to see the level of sophistication in this area that can be achieved.


In the final analysis, the breakdown work is not as good as all the NZ sides achieve with apparent ease. Their scrum halves so often have an “armchair ride” compared to our 9’s, who deal with slow and often scrappy ball. And I would say this applies to all our Australian sides, not only the Reds.


Not being one eyed on Qld, I am also disappointed to see the Waratahs not performing as one would have hoped, given the strength of their roster now. Ofc, one must also look at the injury toll effect on all teams.


And there is no question, on the positive side of this years competition, how very competitive all teams can be on their day. Mona Pacifica are looking more than just competitive now, but the Highlanders are are much better team than last year, as are the Force.


I find the background bits on players great reading always. and your recounting of Matt Faessler’s grandfather’s exploits is just up my street. Keep writing for us, please !!

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