Former Hurricanes assistant coach Chris Gibbes relaxing at home in Te Awamutu.
Sitting in one of his favourite spots at home in Te Awamutu, Chris Gibbes makes a rather candid statement.
“I’ve always kept active, so it’s been a bit of a challenge. I could definitely feel it sometimes while on my feet coaching. It needed to be done.”
The former Hurricanes assistant coach of four years is currently six weeks into recovering from double knee replacement surgery in July.
That favourite spot is the couch in the lounge overlooking an outdoor patio area.
He walks to the couch and sits down, a pair of forearm crutches are leaning against a wall.
His recovery, he concedes, hasn’t all been plain sailing – but as The News’ photo shows, his knees have healed on the outside.
Experts say the recovery time from knee replacement surgery is about six months, and patients can expect to return to physically demanding activities after 12. Then, they say, hiking, gardening, tennis, golf and swimming will be in – running and rugby won’t.
Gibbes has been home in Te Awamutu with wife Lanah, a Te Awamutu Primary School teacher, and spending time with daughters Ashley-Jayne and Brylee since the 2023 Super Rugby season finished in June.
The move came after he decided in May that with Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland leaving to become an All Blacks assistant from next year, he too needed a change.
There was speculation Gibbes – a former Hawke’s Bay, Waikato and Thames Valley second rower who retired in 2002 – would throw his hat in the ring for the top job.
Instead, citing a desire to be closer to family, Gibbes – whose playing days began at Te Awamutu Marist – announced he would step down and return home.
Te Awamutu is also where he completed an apprenticeship at Magills Butchery after finishing school – and he’s a former physical education teacher at Te Awamutu College.
Now, of course, it’s well-known that rugby runs in the Gibbes family.
His younger brother Jono – a former All Black who captained Waikato, the Chiefs and the Māori All Blacks – has also coached extensively. Like Chris, he too is now home in Te Awamutu.
“I grew up here,” Gibbes said.
“Te Awamutu holds many special memories and it’s been a great place to bring up our family.
“Honestly, without my amazing family grounding me, I couldn’t have done what I’ve had the opportunity to do career wise.”
Though he’d needed the surgery for “some time”, Gibbes said it wasn’t the major motivating factor regarding finishing up with the Hurricanes.
At 50, Gibbes is relatively young to have a double knee replacement, but cumulative injuries and general “wear and tear” throughout his eight-year playing career ultimately led to knee issues as he neared retirement.
He stopped playing at 30, but said his knees were “shot” beforehand.
Despite that, he went on to build an impressive coaching record, including international experience as a forwards coach with Japan, Georgia, the New Zealand under-20s, Māori All Blacks and Welsh Pro 14 side Ospreys.
He’s also had success on home soil, including leading Waikato to ITM Cup finals in 2010 and 2011 and Ranfurly shield success in 2012.
Prior to joining the Hurricanes ahead of the 2020 season, Gibbes had success coaching Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup.
But the knees continued to be a problem.
“At the end of the day – functionality wise – it got to the point where I couldn’t really get on with things.
“My knees were pretty stuffed honestly and it came down to wanting an improved quality of life,” Gibbes said of his decision to finally have the surgery.
“Once I was home, I jumped at the chance. Now that I can rest and recover, it’s wonderful to be back around my family, with the chance to put some roots down.
“It’s hard to explain, but even when I’m flying in and I see Mount Pirongia, Kakepuku and Maungatautari I just feel like I’m home.”
Recovery wise, he said he’s had “some good days and some bad days”.
“There’s been a few tough days when it’s been pretty painful, and we’ve had a couple of little setbacks.
“Prior to the surgery, you obviously have a level of movement you’re used to – and that you perhaps take for granted in a way.
“It going to take little while to build that back up again. I suppose it’s a matter of knowing it’s not going last forever and continuing to work away at things.”
Slowly but surely, Gibbes said, he’s headed in the right direction – completing regular gym sessions as part of his recovery, as well as doing some work around the house the day The News visited.
“Yes, I’m on the right track now, I’ll be right.”
So, what’s next for Gibbes? He has some plans – but we’ll have to wait to see what they are.
