Mike Harris has Wallaby written all over him. The New Zealand born-and-bred 22 year-old can play anywhere in the backline, and last night gave a scintillating 19 minute display off the bench for the Queensland Reds in their record-breaking 53-3 demolition job on the Melbourne Rebels, at Suncorp.
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has always been an astute judge of talent, and he saw plenty in Harris in the New Zealand under 20s, and playing for North Harbour in the New Zealand National Provincial competition.
He would be the ideal replacement if Wallaby fly-half Quade Cooper was ever unavailable.
McKenzie signed Harris for two years, and while one game is certainly not a career, it was a cracking start.
In five touches of the ball, Harris scored twice, almost three times, set up one, went close to setting up another – and converted the final try from the left-side touchline. 12 points in 19 minutes.
It’s well worth recalling the two Harris five-pointers, and the one he set up for another benchman – winger Luke Morahan.
* In the 62nd minute Harris received a pass from Cooper. Harris veered right to fend off Danny Cipriani, transferred the ball to his left arm, and veered left to fend off Alistair Campbell, transferred the ball to his right arm, and veered right to fend off Cooper Vuna, to leave a clear 5-metres to touch down.
A magnificent individual try combining speed, swerve, and vision.
* Two minutes later, Harris toed a loose ball ahead midfield for 30 metres, won the race a metre short of the line, calmly stooped to swoop on the rolling ball, and dived over for the try.
* In the 78th minute, Harris saw Morahan was unmarked 40 metres away to his left, and deftly cross-kicked on the full right into the winger’s chest for him to beat two and score.
The Harris conversion was the icing on the cake.
The big bonus? He slots in perfectly with the Reds’ razzle dazzle rugby which surfaced last night for the first time this season with seven tries.
“We’ve been struggling to score points. And to score that many tries, and that many points, was very satisfying,” said Reds’ skipper Will Genia.
“Harris was outstanding”.
His bench days are done-and-dusted. McKenzie can’t afford to leave such superb natural talent as a sideline spectator. This is an 80-minute player of note.
A Wallaby?
Yes please, and eligible. Harris’ grandmother is an Aussie, one of the quaint quirks of international rugby law.
But Mike Harris isn’t the only exciting Reds new-boy on the Super Rugby block. 18-year-old flanker Liam Gill has Wallaby written all over him, as well.
The baby of the Reds’ squad, Gill captained the Australian Schoolboys on their UK tour in 2009, and was a regular standout in the Australian Sevens throughout last year, under the guidance of dual international Michael O’Connor. This was highlighted by winning the silver medal at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Gill isn’t as physically big as champion man-mountain Wallaby flanker, David Pocock. But he’s a proven scavenger at the breakdown, and defensively he’s right up there.
With the addition of Mike Harris, and Liam Gill, there are exciting times ahead for the men-in-Red.
harbourfan
Guest
...and that`s why the Blues will still rue their missed chances. Between Lucky Luke and Brett it `s still so-so for the Blues pivot spot (you might wander who is the real playmaker as their decision making is a bit dodgy sometimes??). But as these things go, Mike was better off taking his chances with a side that will appreciate his strong physical game. Did not get a start on Sat but then the season is still long way from done.
Jamesb
Guest
Harris missed out on a S15 contract, which means he wasn't in the top 10 1st-five eights in NZ.
Funk
Guest
Sorry Diehard your a fair way off on that one, Australia are a long way down the list of registered players, we are behind, France, England, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand in registered male players according to the IRB. If you want to add the mungos in then maybe we can get up there but not on Rugby Union players alone. I'm in total agreeance that it is far to soon to even mention Harris in a Wallaby jersery, but if he wants to pledge his allegiance to the good guys and not the darkness, then good on him.
GRumblebum
Guest
Mike Harris has arrived. Why not run Harris on at inside centre againsy the Cheeters? Mike has the speed, power, rugby smarts & all the skills, together with that special touch of magic, to take the game up to any Springbok team. Kidding, he won't relish playing his Kiwi countrymen too. Reds supporters, sit back, relax and enjoy the best export the Kiwi's ever offloaded on to us. Welcome our next REDS Wallaby. Compliments of his Kiwi mates. We love you Mike & your stack of Kiwi relatives living here, as well as your ex Aussie gran. Mike, let your mates know, we're READY. The grass is greener this side of the ditch!
SnapperNZ
Guest
Ditto harbourfan! Let Harris have more game time before claiming he is good enough for the Wallabies!
harbourfan
Guest
Wow, leave it to some Aussie media to claim Wallaby status for our Mike when he`s played like 30min of S15 rugby in 2 outings! Yes many North Harbour rugby fans felt that Mike Harris was a shade unlucky to miss out on a S15 NZ contract as he was one the better ITM Cup players of 2010. The lad has come on well the past few seasons honing his skills on Auckland`s North Shore and worked hard on his game especially defence. Ewen McKenzie was shrewd in picking up Harris as a utility back as he`s got a nifty boot , run lines well and very strong on defence. It is indeed satisfying to see that he`s done well in 19min so far on a bigger stage. Talented and skilled for sure but geez give the guy a chance to cement his game before granting him Wallaby status! I`m sure Harris for now is looking much forward to getting some time on the field and nothing more. No pressure lol.
Eric
Guest
I agree that David Lord's articles have lacked depth and analysis and perspective. Not good enough for the Roar. But he was the bloke who was going to take a travelling circus of players around the world to play exhibitions....I'd like to see that.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Quite so, TD - these three are undergraduates still learning from better front rowers and I've seen the improvement. There's no shame in being shown up early in their career, so long as they learn from it. Unlike the Twickenham Telly Tubbies the current crop of front rowers are capable of improving (their future is all the better now that the Brumbies blokes have recently taken to seagulling and now that Ben Robinson, for some inexplicable reason, has pulled on the handbrake). In the background of the camera shots showing the reserves and water boys an old fella sat quietly watching - Alec Evans - who taught the likes of McKenzie how to be better at scrummaging. I was not aware the "scrum doctor" was part of the Reds' squad and these blokes will profit mightily from his presence.
redhead
Guest
Gotta love the reds backline ... smokin'
TD
Guest
I see Mick, my apologies!! thought you were making reference to the reds scrum which i think is getting better all the time. The three young guys at the front are building a good combination similar to that of last year and 3 out of 20 odd scrums isn't cause for concern, thought it was fairly even contest. I don't see the tahs or any others doing anything special.
Tui
Guest
The guy is a Kiwi. he will not be a Wallaby unless he is not good enough for the AB's...
zhenry
Guest
Have your say! My comment was so pernicious was it editors? I thought this sight valued honesty and intelligent analysis, selling out to the advertisers are we? Will you remove this as well?
Ben S
Roar Guru
You don't really tend to get man mountains playing openside, unless the reference was in relation to the average man. Here's the top Test opensides: NZ: McCaw - 187m 106kg Aus: Pocock - 184m 104kg SA: Burger - 193m 114kg England: Moody - 190m 104kg France: Dusautoir - 188m 100kg Ireland: Wallace - 188m 105kg Wales: Warburton - 188m 100kg
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I saw that too, Jerry and had a look around. Over 90% of his peers are more "man mountainish". David Pocock is the shortest and second lightest (by 1 kilo) of the 20 Wallaby forwards. Of the 16 currently nominated All Black, RSA and Wallaby flankers he is the shortest, with Deon Stegmann; and only two are lighter, Keegan Daniel and Daniel Braid.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"Obviously you are very critical" Eh? Did you not see, TD: "I’m a Ewen McKenzie supporter and I like what he’s done with the Reds" The "critical" from me was directed at David Lord's hyperbole. The balance of it is what I saw with my eyes (including not the "Force"). The wily Greg Somerville brought Daley down on the engagement at least three times. I do agree Queensland performed strongly, that is what I expected and I was well pleased - just not as tail waggingly excited as David Lord!
Geoff Brisbane
Guest
Wall-nut too much rugby yet to play but what benefit has the new team on the block the rebels added to the growth of Super Rugby???
TD
Guest
Thought the Reds scrum went better than they have all year and don't agree that Daley got touched up. The game i watched, the Reds won a tight head in the opening minute and didn't concede one, they layed a solid platform for the backs all night. Sure there were scrums that the Force dominated but likewise ones that the Reds did. Obviously you are very critical, everyone was expecting a solid performance by the reds and they delivered in all arears, but as always things to work on. Well done Reds!!
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Such is the lack of depth we want to steal annother Kiwi. Harris has been a very good prospect for a long time up in North Harbour. Very unlucky to lose out in a close selection for the blues so went to Qld instead. There is no guarantee that the would play for the Wallabies but you know, if we run him on a test now we.ll tie him to the Wallaby brand. Thats a losing attitude. From Noriaga on Austtralia has lost the ability to breed a talent base of consequence. There are more registered players here than anywhere else but we still cant find a decent top 30 of any balance. If we poach this kid too it will just reinforce the attitude even further . Still, he's very good isn't he.
Wall-Nut
Guest
Team Taniwha hey, more like team fish and still reeling you in! Team monster by butt!
Ian
Guest
Agree entirely. Actually, David Lord's articles have been rather disappointing. I was expecting much more from him. He may well be right, but it's far too early to judge. 19 minutes is hardly enough time to start speaking about a Wallaby cap. He's certainly had a great start, and I'm hoping he will go on-only time will tell.