Jono Gibbes teased out the idea of putting his name forward as a candidate to succeed Joe Schmidt as Leinster coach, a position that was ultimately filled by Matt O'Connor, whose appointment was officially ratified last Monday.
The New Zealander harbours ambitions to be a head coach some day but after seeking advice felt he had a little bit more to learn. He explained: “I considered putting my name forward for the Leinster job but there were a few factors that helped me decide (against it). I sought some pretty good counsel.
“This guy (Matt )’Connor) really interested me. His background was different again (to the previous two Leinster coaches, Michael Cheika and Schmidt). I feel I’m still a young coach and I could learn something off Matt. My ambition is to progress as high as I can as a coach (whether) that’s head coaching or Test rugby. Timing wise it wasn’t this time right now.”
He would like the honour some day: “It would be an awesome opportunity, privilege wise. It’s such a big thing. It is something I would really cherish but I’d want to make sure I’d enhance it.”
For the 12 months left on his contract Gibbes' priority is to help O'Connor maintain a winning culture that Leinster have worked hard to acquire. He's not thinking beyond that point, laughing that any future decision might not be his to make. "We don't know what the new guy might think of me! I'm pretty good at making a first impression, but I don't know what my second one will be like.
'Strong relationships'
"He might work me out by then, plus he's Australian! So, it's hard to say. I think the key thing as coaches is that you've got to have strong relationships. It's important there's a good trust amongst all of them because, you know, results are what you're judged on but there's so much work that has to go into getting results.
“You need a bit of a thick skin as a coaching unit and you need to stay tight. It’s hard for me to say what that relationship will be like. My first impression of him was a very good one: get used to the accent and, yeah, we’ll see in a year’s time really.”
Gibbes confirmed he is not in the hat for a position in Schmidt’s Ireland backroom team. “It would be a massive honour to coach at that level (Ireland) but I think my situation is with Leinster. I feel very comfortable here and hungry to continue on with these guys.
“I learned a massive amount off Cheiks (Michael Cheika), Alan Gaffney and Kurt McQuilken. Under Joe I’ve learned a massive amount as well. From the conversations I’ve had with the Leinster guys, for me, I see the new guy coming in with another different background as another massive opportunity for me to keep learning as a coach.”
The New Zealander confirmed Gordon D'Arcy is fit following a calf injury while Jonathan Sexton and Rob Kearney are available. Jamie Heaslip suffered no adverse reaction to having stitches in a leg wound removed. Dave Kearney passed his return to play protocols this week but won't play. The team will be named today.
