Glasgow sign Kebble to replace Reid as Hastings waits in wings
JUST a day after it was announced that Gordon Reid is to leave Glasgow at the end of the season, the Warriors have revealed the loosehead prop’s replacement – South Africa Under-20 internationalist Oliver Kebble. Stand-off Adam Hastings, meanwhile, remains close to joining from Bath.
Kebble, 24, is the son of former Springboks internationalist Guy Kebble, and has played 34 times for the Stormers. He shares a flat with Stormers centre Huw Jones, who has already signed for the Warriors next season. Like Jones, Kebble, who has agreed a two-year deal, will join up at the end of the current Currie Cup campaign.
“Glasgow is a club on the up,” Kebble said yesterday on the Warriors’ website. “They are showing great ambition in Europe and are title contenders in the PRO12. It was the right club for me.
“I’m really excited about playing at Scotstoun. I’ve heard there is a great atmosphere and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I’ve watched all of the Glasgow matches in the Champions Cup this season and northern-hemisphere rugby is getting very exciting. I’m looking forward to playing in a competitive European league.
“I know Dave Rennie is one of the best coaches in the world, so it’s an exciting prospect to work under him next season. As a prop I pride myself on my scrummaging as well as my loose work around the park. I try and bring an edge to the game and make an impact.
“Huw and I live together in Cape Town. We didn’t really talk about it too much before it happened, but now it’s nice to know there will be a familiar face in Glasgow.”
Rennie will take over as head coach from Gregor Townsend next season, with the incumbent moving to take charge of Scotland. Townsend suggested that Rennie’s knowledge of Kebble from southern-hemisphere competition played a part in the signing.
“Oli has the physical and rugby attributes to be a dominant force in the set-piece and has a lot of experience playing in a fast-paced competition,” the current Warriors coach said. “He is a player Dave knows well from Super Rugby and his signing will help strengthen the squad for next season.”
Meanwhile, although Hastings’ move has yet to be confirmed by Glasgow, it appears that all but the fine details of the deal are in place. Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder confirmed yesterday that the fly-half, son of former Scotland captain Gavin Hastings, will be leaving the West Country club in the summer.
“If Adam moves to Glasgow he’ll be under the guidance of Dave Rennie,” said Blackadder, a former assistant coach of both Scotland and Edinburgh. “He would go to Glasgow to be their No.2 fly-half and he wouldn’t have been that here, so it makes sense. I would understand that decision.
“You can’t expect too much from 10s early on. They play in the hardest position on the field. They’ve got to have a great skill set and be really good decision-makers. They take time to develop.”
Hastings will deputise for starting stand-off Finn Russell, who has been short of competition for the jersey since Duncan Weir left for Edinburgh. Pete Horne, who is currently recovering from injury, has been a more than able replacement for Russell for both club and country, but he is primarily a centre.
While Russell is expected to see out his current contract with Glasgow, it is probable that he will move on to England or France when it expires at the end of next season. The aim will be for Hastings, who is 20, to take over as the Warriors’ starting No.10 for the 2018-19 campaign.