Gibbes out for season

Waikato Chiefs and New Zealand Maori captain Jono Gibbes has been ruled out for the rest of the season after aggravating his foot injury in his comeback match last weekend.

Gibbes had not played since an appearance off the bench for the All Blacks in the second test against the Lions in July after tearing the plantar fascia on the bottom of his foot.

He played all but the last seven minutes of Waikato's unsuccessful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury last Saturday night.

But the effort took its toll on the inspirational lock and after seeing a specialist this week, he is out for the rest of the season.

It is understood the plan is to have him back running in three weeks but the injury almost certainly counts him out of contention for the All Blacks' end-of-season tour to Europe.

- nzpa