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Hurricanes assistant playfully dodges Hamilton-Kirikiriroa question

July 3, 2020

Chris Gibbes shouldered arms to a tricky question to end his press conference.

Hurricanes assistant coach Chris Gibbes was more than happy to not weigh in on the debate around the future of the name of Hamilton.

Named after British naval captain John Hamilton, the Waikato city has been at the centre of debate over the past month. His statue, described by critics as a reminder of the impact of colonialism, has been removed .

Instead, the traditional Māori name of Kirikiriroa has gained support as a replacement should Hamilton's name be changed.

Speaking to media ahead of his side's Super Rugby Aotearoa match against the Chiefs this weekend, though, Gibbes - a proud representative of Waikato rugby - stayed away from wading into the debate.

"Kirikiriroa, isn't it?" Gibbes joked. "That's what I know it as."

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