KEY POINTS:
Long-serving Chiefs and Waikato lock Jono Gibbes today announced his retirement from all rugby, as the result of a knee injury.
Former All Black Gibbes, 31, said an on-going injury to his left knee had reached the point where he could not play as well as he wanted to.
"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," he said.
Gibbes, who led New Zealand Maori to victory over the British Lions in 2005, said his decision was the right thing for both him and Waikato.
"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."
He was now pursuing an opportunity to coach in the Northern Hemisphere, he said.
There have been many highlights in his career, a lot of special memories and some great games to remember, he said.
They included Waikato winning the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup, the Maori victory over the Lions, and the Chiefs victory over the Sharks in Durban in 2004.
Victories aside, Gibbes also vividly remembered the loss of the Ranfurly Shield to Canterbury in his first year with Waikato, at the old Rugby Park.
"I will miss being a player. It is a unique shared experience being part of a rugby team.
"There are some incredible, almost indescribable moments that come with playing in front of crowds that support you or even when they are against you.
"I have been fortunate to play alongside a lot of guys that embodied what the colours were about, and I learned a lot from them. I tried my best to be a Waikato man."
He had enjoyed working with Chiefs coach Ian Foster and thanked his family for their support.
"Retiring from playing is a tough decision to make but now that I have come to terms with it, I'm ready to move into the next stage in my life, which I hope will still involve rugby."
Waikato Rugby Union chief executive Graham Bowen said Gibbes had been an inspirational player and it was a great shame injury had ended his career.
Chiefs franchise chief executive Gary Dawson said his presence on and off the field would be "greatly missed by all".
"He represented his province, franchise and country with distinction. We wish him all the best in the future."
NZRU general manager professional rugby Neil Sorensen said Gibbes was one of the game's most respected and admired players.
Gibbes made his All Blacks debut in June 2004 against England in Dunedin and played eight tests for New Zealand.
He played 64 games for Waikato, making his debut against the West Coast in Greymouth in 2000.
He played 68 games for the Chiefs, captaining the side for six consecutive seasons. He first played for the Chiefs against the Waratahs in 2001.
- NZPA
