Chiefs and Waikato lock Jono Gibbes has announced his retirement from all rugby, finally giving up his long-running battle against injury.

Gibbes has succumbed to an ongoing injury to his left knee and has reached a point where he is unable to continue in a playing capacity.

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

The 31-year-old former All Black and New Zealand Maori representative, said his decision to retire was the right thing to do from a personal and team perspective.

"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 said there have been many highlights in his career, a lot of special memories and some great games to remember.

The 2006 Waikato Air New Zealand Cup championship victory, the New Zealand Maori victory over the Lions at Waikato Stadium in 2005 and the Chiefs victory over the Sharks in Durban in 2004 top the list.

Victories aside, he also vividly remembers the loss of the Ranfurly Shield to Canterbury in his first year 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."

"On the coaching front I had a special bond with Ian Foster. The coach and captain relationship is a significant one and one that I have enjoyed immensely in my time with the Chiefs. For Waikato this season I believe Tony Hanks will bring a fresh approach which will stimulate the environment. It is unfortunate that I will miss the chance to work with my brother Chris, who alongside Scott McLeod, is already having a positive impact on the team. The scene is set for a good competition for the Mooloo men."

"Throughout my rugby career I have been privileged to have incredible support from my family - I tried my best to represent them every time I played."

"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. I am currently pursuing an opportunity to coach in the Northern Hemisphere."

Te Awamutu-raised Gibbes made his All Blacks debut in June 2004 against England in Dunedin. He played a total of eight test matches for New Zealand.

At provincial level Gibbes played 64 games for Waikato making his debut against the West Coast in Greymouth in 2000. For his Super 14 franchise the Chiefs, he played a total of 68 games. He captained the side for six consecutive seasons. He first played for the Chiefs against the Waratahs in 2001.

Gibbes played nine games for New Zealand Maori, and was captain in the historic victory over the Lions in 2005 and their successful Churchill Cup campaign in 2006.