Gibbins’ debut is family affair
Callum reveals his clan are steeped in Scottish roots
NEW Warriors hero Callum Gibbins has dedicated his dream Pro14 debut to his Scotland-daft gran.
The powerful Kiwi played a stormer at Scotstoun on Saturday as Glasgow surged to a bonus-point 31-10 win over the Ospreys.
And the mullet-haired breakaway forward admits starring in Scotland has taken on added significance given his family connections.
The 28-year-old said: “I have always known about this side of my roots, mainly through my nana who was big on Scotland.
“She came from the Munro clan and I have done quite a bit of research into my background here. It meant a lot to me when we had a pre-season match at Stirling against Northampton.
“It was cool to be there because of the monument near the ground and all the other historic things connected with the town.
“My family have always had a bit of a fascination with these things.”
Gibbins joined the squad this summer after signing a three-year deal from Super Rugby side the Hurricanes in February. And he didn’t have to think twice when Warriors coach Dave Rennie, whom he played under back home, urged him to sign.
He said: “I’ve known Rens for a long time and when he calls you pick up the phone.
“It all happened when I was out having a coffee in Wellington.
“When he invited me to sign it was an easy decision. It’s the right time of my life. I was looking for something different and here it is.”
While Gibbins wowed with his abrasive fringe play it was centre Alex Dunbar who destroyed the Ospreys.
He bagged the first try with a brilliant solo run then rounded off the rout with a trademark charge through a succession of markers.
Rennie said: “Callum could have come straight into the team last weekend in Galway but I wanted to give him more training time.
“He has arrived here after a demanding programme in New Zealand and I wanted to make sure he was keen and enthusiastic, which he is.
“To bring in all the big guns and push some of the younger guys aside in one go would have been a mistake.”