Gibbes prepared to shift position for Waikato

1.00pm

Jono Gibbes might be a blind-side flanker for the All Blacks but he is prepared to move back to lock for the Waikato rugby team to help ease their injury woes.

Waikato captain Gibbes and fellow All Black loose forward Marty Holah return to the Waikato NPC mix this week after a three-week break following the national team's Tri-Nations commitments -- a week after All Black No 2 halfback Byron Kelleher's return.

All three will be available for selection for Waikato's match against Northland at Waikato Stadium this Saturday and the four NPC round-robin matches remaining after that.

Gibbes said he was coming back completely refreshed and with his base fitness tuned up after a "fantastic" break.

But he also has no qualms at slipping back into the locking role he fulfilled for the Chiefs in the Super 12 earlier this year, despite having been used as a starting No 6 by the All Blacks' coaches and selectors.

With specialist locks Keith Robinson and Dave Duley pretty much gone for the season after undergoing surgery to repair knee and thumb injuries respectively, Gibbes said he was prepared to return to the second row if that was what was required of him.

"The reality of the situation is that I'm going to spend some time playing lock but that doesn't concern me. I had to do it in the Super 12 and I'm just happy to be there wearing the Waikato colours regardless of what number I wear on my back," Gibbes said yesterday.

Gibbes said stand-in skipper Steven Bates had done a fantastic job leading the Waikato team from the front on the field, revelling in the role and he had obviously received strong backup from his teammates.

"I just hope Marty and I coming back can really launch off that and keep Batesy going too."

Gibbes said he had used the break since the All Blacks' final Tri-Nations match against the Springboks in South Africa , firstly getting over the trip and then having two weeks to himself to have time away from rugby, mostly at Whangamata, while also doing training and conditioning work.

"I feel like I've really had a holiday but still been able to work on my fitness because I find when I am playing my base fitness drops off a bit."

- NZPA

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