New Zealand recruit Mike Harris has been chosen to wear Quade Cooper’s Queensland No.10 jersey in Saturday night’s Super Rugby opener against arch-rivals NSW at ANZ Stadium.
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie confirmed on Wednesday morning that Harris had beaten fellow five-eighth contender Ben Lucas to the playmaking role following two strong trial displays.
Enigmatic Wallabies flyhalf Cooper will miss the first six rounds of the competition as he finalises his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction following the injury which ended his World Cup campaign last October.
“It’s a great opportunity but I’ve just been asked to go out there and play my own game to give the team the best chance to win,” Harris said.
Reigning champions Queensland recruited Harris from North Harbour in late 2010 and the former New Zealand Under-20 representative was a revelation at inside centre last season before injuring his knee.
The 23-year-old also made his Reds debut, off the bench, against the Waratahs in round two last year, when NSW delivered a 30-6 thumping.
“It was a proud moment … but from a team perspective it was arguably our most forgettable moment of 2011,” he said.
“We’ve now got the chance to rectify the wrongs from that night.”
Pillock
Roar Rookie
Beau Robinson, Samo etc where players who could not get a contract with any other Super teams yet they where all in the top 3 or 4 in their position last season. McKenzie has shown he can get good results with players no one else wants. So would not get to carried away with Harris not being signed by the NZ clubs.
Justin
Guest
It was only last year. I think we all think "he might" but lets keep it real for now...
Bigbaz
Guest
You may be right Markus but that was a couple of years ago. He's a big srong boy with undoubted class and he might just have matured into the job.
Markus
Guest
Agreed. He was skillful and strong at 12 for the Reds last season, but that was playing outside a firing Genia and Cooper. And as a 10 he was unable to even get a contract with any of the five NZ teams, so there must be something lacking in his game. It may very well be his ability to lead a backline. I hope that is not the case though, and that he carries on the strong form he showed last year prior to his injury.
Justin
Guest
He has played some good matches but I think so far he is over-hyped. He had no responsibility really before his injury. Lets see how he steps up at 10. Lets not forget he was basically not rated in NZ and suddenly he is a world beater and Wallaby in waiting. I'm not saying he isnt but lets see what he does this year.
Mr T
Guest
He wasn't a marquee signing, nor a development signing. As you say he has an Australian grandmother so he was Wallabies eligible from the get go.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Always thought he was the logical choice to replace Cooper. With a bit of luck this season he will make the Wallabies side and may well be able to be signed to the Reds in the future to permanently replace Cooper when Cooper leaves to play League with SBW. The Reds would be mad to let Harris go after this season, he was a marque signing for two seasons from NZ however he has an Aussie rellie that will allow him to play for the Wallabies, so I for one hope he stays and realizes his potential here in Qld