Rugby: Gibbes to lead Chiefs again

Jono Gibbes will captain the Chiefs for a sixth consecutive season in next year's Super 14 rugby championship.

The injury-plagued lock Gibbes, 30, said today it would be a privilege to wear the skipper's armband once again.

" The Chiefs are a proud and driven team - it is great to be part of that environment again," he said.

"It is fair to say that for most of 2007 injury hampered my playing time significantly. But now my body feels good and I'm confident I'll be able to stand up to the rigours of Super 14 rugby.

"I'm looking forward to working with all the new guys in the Chiefs squad and building on the positive gains we made last year."

The only other Chiefs captain to have led the side over consecutive years was Deon Muir, in 2001 and 2002.

- NZPA