New Zealand-born Wallaby Mike Harris says he’d relish a shot at the biggest challenge in rugby – taking down All Blacks weapon Sonny Bill Williams.
Harris always dreamed of playing a Bledisloe Cup, albeit for the Blacks.
But now he’s embraced life on the opposite side of the fence and has two Australian caps to his name, the 24-year-old has turned his focus to the biggest fish in the New Zealand line-up for the Bledisloe opener in Sydney on August 18.
Harris’ laser boot won Australia the second Test against Wales in June after the full-time siren, but he wants to forge a reputation as a fearless No.12, and is happy to start by going head-to-head with Japan and NRL-bound superstar Williams.
The Queensland Reds midfielder faces a fierce battle for selection with Berrick Barnes, who starred at five-eighth against Wales, but will be a chance to move to the centres if Quade Cooper is reinstated at No.10.
Incumbent inside centre Pat McCabe was on Wednesday ruled out for four to six weeks with a stress fracture to his lower left leg, meaning he’ll miss the two Tests against the All Blacks in August.
But the versatile Harris could be a valuable bench option if nothing else, and said he won’t be afraid of a fired up Williams looking to make a statement in his farewell Tests.
“If I’m in that midfield role I’ll be looking to square up and make sure I come down low and don’t give him a chance,” said Harris.
“Obviously he’s a big guy and loves to get that offload away and I just think he’s got better and better with more time in the game.
“He’s definitely stamped his mark as one of the best in the world at that sort of game, throwing that offload and breaking the line – he’s definitely going to be one of the threats for the All Blacks.
“Playing in a Bledisloe Cup would just be a dream come true for me … hopefully in a few weeks that will come true. My body is feeling good and I’m raring to go and ready to get stuck in.”
Williams was expected to be excluded from the Rugby Championship after announcing he was leaving New Zealand rugby.
But new coach Steve Hansen confirmed Williams would play both matches against Australia, with the return fixture in Auckland on August 25.
Harris said Williams would be primed for a big exit, but said the Wallabies had their own motivations as they look to end a decade-long Bledisloe drought.
“If he’s made himself available for these next two games he’ll definitely be wanting to have big games before he leaves and heads off to Japan,” he said.
“It’s definitely motivation for him there but it’s exactly the same for us. We want to have two big games and put ourselves in the box seat for the Rugby Championship.”
The Great G Nepia
Guest
The fact that the Wallabies are picking a park footy player from suburban Auckland speaks volumes.
bennalong
Guest
What "tackling style" is that Jutsie? Around the ankles isn't bad I would have thought.
Tui
Guest
Wow! point out he's a Kiwi and we get a spiel about weather and healthcare... No ones blaming you as they were quite rightly pointed out as rejects. But maybe you should question why a country with the same if not larger player base and resources continually has to rely on Kiwi rejects for its coaches and players instead of producing its own?
winston
Guest
Who's complaining, we are happy to send you our rejects. :)
Funk
Guest
Don't blame us because so many of you want to live over here! All quite happy to take the well paying jobs, the free health care (and some the welfare), the life style, the weather, and then complain because a couple of you play for an Australian team...shheesh..... "there's just no pleasing some people!"("Life of Brian" Monty Python 1979)
Tui
Guest
Another Kiwi playing for the Wallabies surprise surprise
WQ
Guest
All good Jutsie, I think a combination of both the points you made are probably the reality. I do genuinely think he would be a good option though and certainly adds plenty with his ability to kick
Jutsie
Guest
Yeah I suspect that too Kuruki but I will be disappointed if that is the case. You can be defensive/conservative and grind out wins against the boks/wales but 9/10 times we are going to lose to the AB's so I'd rather us chance our arms and revert to an attacking brand of back play coupled with the pack leaving nothing in the tank.
Jutsie
Guest
I guess its not really a matter of going high or low but putting him on his bum quickly, faiinga goes low but drives up with his shoulder, barnes goes low but takes the impact so allows a guy like SBW or nonu to get at least 5 metres before going to ground. Faiinga has been successful against SBW because even when SBW gets the offload he is off balance and is not accurate.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
While SBW / Nonu would be a good combo i would really really like to see Ellison get a run outside SBW. I think he can carry just as powerfully as Nonu but he has more speed. I think also Hansen should pay Cruden the ultimate compliment by starting him with SBW in one of the first two matches against Aussie. i have a funny feeling Barnes will play 10 Finga and Horne will be the center combo.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I don't think going high on SBW is a very good idea at all. There is no better way to combat what he does then to chop his legs out. He gets his hands through the tackle in some very heavy contact. To limit his go forward and the time his runners have to find his offload your best weapon is to cut his legs out. You wont stop SBW offloading the ball. You can stop him making huge meters by effecting copybook tackles.
JBees
Guest
Yep unfortunately I agree with you Gary, Deans hasn't shown us that he can look outside the square like the rest of us lol. I like the idea of Digby being moved to the centres, Nonu was once a winger for the ABs then developed into a very good centre - this could also be the same for Digby
formeropenside
Guest
NOT HORNE AT 13 NO NO NO
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Do any of actually think that Deans will do anything other than play the same ol same ol. He will probably pick Barnes as flyhalf and have AAC at 12 with Horne at 13 with Beale at Fullback and Digby on one wing with Mitchell on the other. Cooper off the bench
Jutsie
Guest
WQ I wasnt having ago at ya just joking around thats why I added the smiley face. I knew you were either talking about harris or A finger but just added the taps bit as an attempt at some light-hearted humour sorry u misunderstood me. Yeah harris mustve have either got a big boost in confidence after his stint the wb's or has just fully recovered from his hammy injury as his form post break has been excellent.
WQ
Guest
Jutsie, I'm shocked, I'm a Reds fan mate why would I have a go at them. I meant Harris, I thought he had an excellent game against the Sharks especially with the ball in hand. He constantly threatened the line and his ability to turn the ball over at the break down was as good as any of the QLD forwards on the night.
Jutsie
Guest
Well higgy usually hangs out in the backline so ur idea isnt too far fetched :D I have been toying with another left field idea of hooper in the centres, his speed and leg drive in contact would rival any centre going around, too bad he has feet for hands lol.
Marshall Brentnall
Guest
I like your thinking there Fin.
Funk
Guest
Your reading snippets of an interview, and we all know the Journo's love to take out the parts that they want to push for their articlce. “If I’m in that midfield role I’ll be looking to square up and make sure I come down low and don’t give him a chance,” said Harris. Did youhappen to notice the 1st word in what he said IF. For all we know the reporter asked him "how he would deal with $BW", to which he replied......
Johnno
Guest
-Why not even put a big man like scott higgenbotham at no 12 if he doesn't get picked at no 6. A big man who can at least tackle. A.faianga and Ben Tapui seem th best option. Can't have barnes at no 12 vs SBW or Nonu. Pat Mcabe is big big loss, this 2 SBW and Nonu don't enjoy facing Mcabe they both acknowledge the man's very strong defence capabilities. I hope that midfield channel doesn't open up for the AB's to flood. The match could be a thrashing if the AB'S get lots of momentum in that I/C channel.