For a third successive week, the Glasgow Warriors coach has been heaping praise on a player who would normally be considered a classic example of an unsung hero of his sport after it was announced that Rob Harley is extending his stay with the only club he has represented since turning professional.
Capped most recently against Italy in Singapore last year in what was head coach Gregor Townsend’s first match in charge, the flanker remains a member of the wider Scotland squad but has made just three Test appearances in the past two years and only one international start in the past three, among a total of 20 caps since his first appearance for his country six years ago.
A model of industry since his earliest appearances, repeatedly missing out on playing for the national team has only seen him appear to redouble his efforts on the Warriors’ behalf, establishing him as one of the great club men of the professional era and resulting in Dave Rennie, their head coach, leading the tributes as he first matched Graeme Morrison’s previous club appearance record against the Cheetahs a fortnight ago, then broke it when playing his 178th match in Munster last weekend.
Little wonder, then, that the 27-year-old, whose value is enhanced by his capacity to play in either the second or back-row, has been offered the chance to stay at Scotstoun for a further two years and it is no more of a surprise that he accepted this latest deal which means he will spend a minimum of 10 years with the club, Rennie noting that his presence helps set standards for others.
“Rob epitomises what it means to play for this club and it’s great that he’s staying for two more years,” the New Zealander said yesterday.
“He sets an example around the place day in, day out and is a true Warrior on the pitch.”
Harley, who captained the side for the twentieth time in Cork last Friday and has scored 10 tries for the club, becomes the ninth player to sign a new deal with the club this season, along with fellow Scotland internationalists Jonny Gray, Fraser Brown, Alex Allan, Nick Grigg and George Turner Fijian internationalist Niko Matawalu and youngsters George Horne and Matt Smith.
Speaking to the Warriors TV channel, he made his on-going commitment to the club clear, indicating that there had never been much doubt about his decision.
“I’m absolutely delighted. I’m glad to have played so many games for Glasgow and I'm looking forward to playing even more in the future,” he told them.
“We sell out every game we play at Scotstoun and the support we get from the fans is a big factor in how well we do here.
“The supporters drive us on in everything they do, it’s a great atmosphere and the idea of playing in front of them for two more years made my decision very easy.”
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