Gibbins unlikely for Turbos
Reports of Hurricanes flanker Callum Gibbins’ signing with Glasgow on Tuesday suggested he would play out his commitments with the Manawatu Turbos before his departure.
But that was news to Manawatu Rugby Union chief executive John Knowles.
Knowles confirmed that Gibbins was off contract with the province and has yet to sign the extension they offered him.
He had not heard anything suggesting Gibbins was going to wear the green and white of Manawatu this season.
‘‘According to my understanding he was going straight after Super Rugby,’’ Knowles said.
But he said they would welcome Gibbins with open arms if he were to be available for the provincial campaign.
‘‘Callum will do everything he possibly can to assist us at any time, he is that sort of bloke,’’ Knowles said.
Gibbins played 66 games for Manawatu since his debut in 2009.
The 28-year-old also has 25 games for the Hurricanes to his name.
At Glasgow he will be coached by Chiefs coach Dave Rennie next season.
Gibbins made his Manawatu Turbos debut under Rennie in 2009.
Scotland assistant coach Jason O’halloran will serve as one of Rennie’s assistants. O’halloran also coached the Turbos and was in charge when Gibbins was promoted to captain in 2013.
In an interview with glasgowwarriors.org, Gibbins said he was excited about his new deal in Scotland.
‘‘I feel privileged to be in a situation where I can make a decision like this and I’m looking forward to the new experiences that lie ahead,’’ he said.
And Gibbins is not the only Super Rugby capped Turbo set to exit Manawatu.
Knowles confirmed prop Chris Eves was leaving the province.
Eves will return to North Harbour at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season.
He played 30 games for the Turbos since initially arriving on loan from Wellington in 2013.
They follow Canadian prop Jake Ilnicki (Northampton) and All Black Aaron Cruden (Montpellier) as other confirmed leavers.
Ambrose Curtis, who spent the summer training with the Blues and was named in the New Zealand Sevens team for the Las Vegas and Vancouver legs of the Sevens World Series on Tuesday, has been offered an extension but has yet to sign it.
It is the same case for flanker Antonio Kiri Kiri, who spent time with the Hurricanes in the preseason.
Kiri Kiri becomes more important to the union with Gibbins departure meaning he will likely be the No 1 openside flanker.
He would also be the second most experienced player in the team with 43 games to his name trailing Jason Emery on 49.
Midfielder Curtis Reid has committed to the Turbos for another campaign after a solid debut season after his transfer from North Harbour.
Irish-raised flanker Harrison Brewer has indicated he will return to New Zealand for the Manawatu club rugby season.
Other 2016 Turbos not contracted are experienced halfback Toby Morland, Samoan international Kane Thompson, Tongan international Valentino Mapapalangi, front-rower Tim Cadwallader and wing Luther Hirini.
Meanwhile, Knowles said he will meet with Fletcher Building bosses next week to discuss the future sponsorship of the Manawatu Turbos.
The Turbos will once again carry Higgins on the front of their jersey for the 2017 campaign, but there is an uncertain future after that.
Higgins have been longstanding major sponsors of the team, but they were purchased by Fletcher Building last year.