Gibbes calls it a day

July 21 2008

One of New Zealand's most celebrated players, Jono Gibbes, has decided to hang his rugby-playing boots up after a persistent knee injury.

The 31-year-old, who captained Waikato and the Chiefs for six successive seasons and played eight Tests for New Zealand, said it had been a difficult decision but that it had become impossible to see it any other way.

"I simply can't play how I used to with my knee injury," he said.

"It is a hard thing to come to terms with because my heart is still in the game, but the simple truth is that my knee is no longer up to it.

"While I would have loved to have played more games in the red, yellow and black jersey this season, the reality is that I would have failed to meet my playing commitments and this would be a disservice to the team."

Gibbes made his debut against England in June 2004, and his final international match was against the B&I Lions in Wellington the following year.

During that Lions tour, he also led the New Zealand Maori to a famous victory over the Lions' Test side, the Maori's first-ever victory over the Lions.