Gibbes continues his impressive run in France
Former All Black Jono Gibbes’ continued his unbeaten start to his French coaching career.
Gibbes arrived in La Rochelle a fortnight ago after coaching Waikato to the Mitre 10 Cup Championship title.
Since his arrival, the Victor Vito-captained La Rochelle have beaten Stade Francais and followed up with a 16-11 win over Paris glamour club Racing 92 to move into third place in the Top 14 league standings.
La Rochelle have now won five games on the bounce and Gibbes acknowledged the good work had started long before his arrival.
Gibbes said he had been impressed to find La Rochelle was ‘‘a well-organised club’’.
The former New Zealand Ma¯ori captain was acting head coach at Irish club Ulster when he signed a deal to return home to coach Waikato.
But, before leaving Belfast, he was lured over to La Rochelle and agreed to becoming the club’s sporting director.
Waikato required him to complete his contract and he led the Mooloos to some silverware before moving to France, where he spent four years as assistantcoach of Clermont.
Gibbes said he was impressed with the ‘‘incredible atmosphere’’ at La Rochelle’s Stade Marcel Deflandre ground when he visited with Ulster for an European Champions Cup game last season.
Asked why he had joined La Rochelle, he told L’Equipe, France’s national sports daily: ‘‘President Vincent Merling’s explanations for the club’s project convinced me. He is calm and quiet, he gives confidence. For me it was an interesting proposition.’’
Gibbes, 41, has plenty of Kiwi company at La Rochelle. Vito was joined in the starting lineup for the Racing game by former Hurricanes and Blues first fiveeighth Ihaia West and Timaruborn France prop Uini Atonio. Ex-All Black halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow and former Waikato hooker Hikairo Forbes played off the bench.
West kicked three penalties in La Rochelle’s win with midfielder Pierre Aguillon scoring their only try.
Lock Leone Nakarawa scored a try for Racing 92.
Former All Black Isaia Toeava scored a try as Clermont beat Vern Cotter’s Montpellier 28-23 to remain toip of the table.
Ex-All Black midfielder Charlie Ngatai dotted down as Lyon thrashed Paul 30-10 to clinch fourth place, two points behind La Rochelle.