Gibbes may leave captaincy with Bates

By CHRIS RATTUE

Returning All Black Jono Gibbes says he will happily hand over the Waikato captaincy to Steven Bates if it is in the best interests of the team.

The return of a shaven-headed Gibbes and his great All Black mate Marty Holah has boosted injury-hit Waikato going into the second half of the NPC, and they may have hooker Tom Willis and wing Roger Randle to choose from in the next couple of weeks.

Gibbes was named as the captain for the season by new coach John Mitchell, who installed him as leader on his return against Northland at Waikato Stadium on Saturday.

But Bates, who has filled in while Gibbes rested after the All Black tests, led the side out and emerged as the man who dealt with referee Kelvin Deaker during the game.

With the realisation of what Gibbes deals with in leading the Chiefs and establishing himself as a test player, there might be a re-evaluation resulting in impressive No 8 Bates retaining the captaincy.

Gibbes said he and Bates had discussed the issue on Friday and felt it was better that continuity be retained, especially as Gibbes had struggled with a hamstring problem. The issue would be sorted out today.

"Personally I think that Steve has done an outstanding job. Either way I'm just happy to be playing," Gibbes said. "I felt it was probably best to keep the status quo and see where I was at. It was less disruptive to the team."

Waikato struggled to find top gear against winless Northland but pulled away for the 41-21 win, which also brought them a four-try bonus point.

The match marked the return of Gibbes and Holah - who last played for Waikato in the 2002 grand final - in a rejigged pack including players short on recent game time.

Waikato opened with a marvellous solo try to NPC newcomer Josh Sole, when the lock shimmied and ran about 20m to the line.

But there was little of the stunning team work which had put Auckland to the sword in their last home game, and it was only in the later stages - with replacement Liam Messam making a mark - that they overpowered Northland.

Both Gibbes and Holah appeared to get stronger as the game progressed. Gibbes was delighted to be back in the Waikato colours but said he had definitely needed the break after his first test campaign, which ended in Durban on August 22.

"Northland play with a lot of courage. The points table doesn't reflect the way they play at all," Gibbes said. "I found the first 40 minutes pretty tough. I didn't get out of second gear. I was a bit tentative but as the game wore on I felt better and got a bit of confidence.

"It was fantastic being part of the All Blacks and I'm looking forward to bringing things into my game that I learned from being around all those fine players.

"But I really needed the time off. The Super 12, the tests, it's been pretty full on. It's a big thing test football - very demanding. It's not hard getting up for it - you are playing for the All Blacks. It's more about the weeks of preparation.

"It does take its toll and I felt a bit flat when I got back. It was good to get away from it all."

Former All Blacks Willis and Randle are to make comebacks for Waikato B against Otago this week.

The 30-year-old Randle has been sidelined since April last year with an Achilles tendon injury suffered while playing for the Chiefs against the Stormers in Cape Town.

There were complications after surgery, resulting in further niggling injuries. Willis suffered a back injury requiring surgery during Super 12.


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