LEINSTER TEAM MANAGER Guy Easterby has today filled in some of the blanks surrounding last week’s surprise news that Jono Gibbes would leave the province at the end of the season.
Forwards coach since 2008, Gibbes informed Leinster of his intention to take up an offer to coach Clermont Auvergne late last week before the information was publicised in France on Friday.
Speaking to the media before Leinster trained at UCD this afternoon, Easterby says Gibbes had been one of the names, along with Matt O’Connor considered as a replacement for head coach Joe Schmidt.
However, the former scrum-half says the Waikato man did not feel the time was right to take on a front of house role, and that has been borne out by his appointment as Franck Azema’s right-hand man.
Advertisement
“You’ve got to understand, the situation is as it is, black and white,” Easterby told TheScore.ie today.
“He’s in his sixth year here as assistant coach and he didn’t feel it was the time to put his hand up to be head coach when Matt came in.
“He came straight from playing into this environment and, to be honest with you, when he sat down with me it was very difficult to argue with his reasons for [going].
“Does that mean we won’t miss him, absolutely not. He’s been an unbelievable presence in the environment for the last six years.
“It was a much easier conversation to have, because it wasn’t him coming looking for anything, it was him coming in to say ‘this was the situation, I think it’s the right time’.
“It’s difficult because you want him here, he’s been a real good presence here. You couldn’t but understand the reasons why.”
Easterby hailed Gibbes’ honesty throughout the whole process, so it’s likely that the province was well warned before Gibbes did eventually confirm he would accept Clermont’s offer. Both in and out of work, Easterby counts himself as having ”a fantastic relationship” with the ex-All Black and he took the time to wish Gibbes well in what would be a stark change of environment in many senses.
“I think it’s been a pretty brave call from him. He’s probably going outside his comfort zone and certainly with a different language and different expectations in terms of what he’s delivering now – there’s only going to be two coaches, himself and Franck (Azema).
“As much as it’s tough for us, because he’s a great presence I think it’s a really good move for him and we wish him the very best of luck with it.”
In terms of injury updates, it was a case of no news being good news from Easterby.
Gordon D’Arcy and Luke Fitzgerald ran recovery drills separate from the main squad, but Leinster expect to have Sean O’Brien fit and available to earn his first cap of the season away to Munster in Thomond Park on Saturday. Lote Tuqiri could also feature after suffering a hamstring injury on his debut in Glasgow.
Time wasn't right for Jono Gibbes to 'put his hand up' for top role at Leinster
LEINSTER TEAM MANAGER Guy Easterby has today filled in some of the blanks surrounding last week’s surprise news that Jono Gibbes would leave the province at the end of the season.
Forwards coach since 2008, Gibbes informed Leinster of his intention to take up an offer to coach Clermont Auvergne late last week before the information was publicised in France on Friday.
Speaking to the media before Leinster trained at UCD this afternoon, Easterby says Gibbes had been one of the names, along with Matt O’Connor considered as a replacement for head coach Joe Schmidt.
However, the former scrum-half says the Waikato man did not feel the time was right to take on a front of house role, and that has been borne out by his appointment as Franck Azema’s right-hand man.
“You’ve got to understand, the situation is as it is, black and white,” Easterby told TheScore.ie today.
“Does that mean we won’t miss him, absolutely not. He’s been an unbelievable presence in the environment for the last six years.
“It was a much easier conversation to have, because it wasn’t him coming looking for anything, it was him coming in to say ‘this was the situation, I think it’s the right time’.
“It’s difficult because you want him here, he’s been a real good presence here. You couldn’t but understand the reasons why.”
Easterby hailed Gibbes’ honesty throughout the whole process, so it’s likely that the province was well warned before Gibbes did eventually confirm he would accept Clermont’s offer. Both in and out of work, Easterby counts himself as having ”a fantastic relationship” with the ex-All Black and he took the time to wish Gibbes well in what would be a stark change of environment in many senses.
“I think it’s been a pretty brave call from him. He’s probably going outside his comfort zone and certainly with a different language and different expectations in terms of what he’s delivering now – there’s only going to be two coaches, himself and Franck (Azema).
“As much as it’s tough for us, because he’s a great presence I think it’s a really good move for him and we wish him the very best of luck with it.”
In terms of injury updates, it was a case of no news being good news from Easterby.
Gordon D’Arcy and Luke Fitzgerald ran recovery drills separate from the main squad, but Leinster expect to have Sean O’Brien fit and available to earn his first cap of the season away to Munster in Thomond Park on Saturday. Lote Tuqiri could also feature after suffering a hamstring injury on his debut in Glasgow.
Round-up: Irish players in France
Video analysis: Madigan lays down marker ahead of Munster clash
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Coach All-Ireland Senior HC Guinness PRO12 jono Jono Gibbes Leinster Leinster Munster Pro12