The Michael Harris Files
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Reds' New Zealand import Mike Harris joins in Queensland hatred of New South Wales
ALL EFFORT ... Reds player Mike Harris, despite being a Kiwi, already has a healthy dislike for New South Wales. Picture: David Kapernick
Source: The Courier-Mail
ALL EFFORT ... Reds player Mike Harris, despite being a Kiwi, already has a healthy dislike for New South Wales. Picture: David Kapernick
Source: The Courier-Mail
"AUSSIE Mike" Harris had been in Queensland just five minutes when he realised he hated New South Wales.
Although not quite in the same manner as celebrated Waratahs despisers Chris Handy, Sam Scott Young, Dan Crowley and Greg Martin, the former New Zealand under-20s representative identified almost immediately with the us-against-them mentality that these tribal conflicts nourish.
"I had a bit of an idea before I got here, but as soon as I arrived the boys reminded me about the rivalry. I'm happy to jump on that," Harris said. "That Queensland-NSW thing is pretty special and it rubs off on you a bit."
Harris and teammate Rob Simmons yesterday presented Team Indigo FC jerseys to juniors from the Lions Rugby Club at Karana Downs which was submerged at the height of the January floods.
His attitude towards Saturday night's opponents the Waratahs is not the only blessing Harris has brought to Ballymore this year.
The 20-year-old former North Harbour flyhalf is a powerful runner and committed defender, who also injects a steadying yin to Quade Cooper's bold yang.
No one, least of all Reds coach Ewen McKenzie, can predict Cooper's every daring move, but Harris insists he is beginning to understand his playmaking partner.
"The more we play and train together, the more we're developing a combination. He's a bit hard to read because he does some crazy things. So you need to be on your toe
Reserves: James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Ben Lucas, Will Chambers.
9 April
Quade Cooper kicked 14 points and Mike Harris muscled over for a late try as Queensland Reds ended the Stormers' unbeaten run in Super 15 rugby with a 19-6 win today.
Cooper landed four penalties and a conversion at Newlands and the Australia flyhalf controlled proceedings with sharp tactical kicking to send the South African team to its first loss in seven games in this year's competition.
Inside center Harris sealed the victory in the 74th minute, running onto a flat pass from scrumhalf Will Genia at a five-meter scrum to force his way through the home defense.
5 April
QUADE Cooper's selfless decision to sack himself from goalkicking duties paid off big time in Johannesburg on Sunday when fill-in Mike Harris became a six-from-six matchwinner for Queensland Reds.
Few games played by the Queenslanders this season have followed a simple script and this hard-won 30-25 decision over the Lions was no exception. Flyhalf Cooper missed his opening two shots at penalty goal.
Rather than keep at it, Cooper made the call himself to pass the kicking tee to Harris, who had been drilling the ball sweetly beside him at goalkicking practice all week.
"It was purely Quade's call. He felt he wasn't striking the ball well and handed it over to Mike," coach Ewen McKenzie said.
Harris showed no nerves with the boot in his first starting assignment for the Reds at fullback because his perfect record - three conversions and three penalty goals - was the difference considering that former Springbok Andre Pretorius missed five of his nine attempts.
Harris and centre Digby Ioane both spilt straightforward high balls when the Reds struggled to get their rhythm in the opening 45 minutes so there is sure to be a diet of up-and-unders at training in Cape Town this week.
4th April
Both of the Lions' tries came from the Reds dropping bombs but in the end it was the two biggest culprits - shaky fullback Mike Harris and centre Digby Ioane - who ensured the visitors got the points.
Down 19-10 after conceding the softest of tries to Jaco Taute at the start of the second half when Ioane dropped a simple high ball, Ioane combined brilliantly with man-of-the-match Quade Cooper in attack and barrelled Lions defenders like ninepins.
It was Ioane's 66th-minute try which virtually sealed the match at 30-19.
While Harris struggled with his hands, his right boot was on song - kicking six from six, including one penalty from 54m, after taking over the goalkicking duties from an off-key Cooper.
1 April 2011
New Zealand super-sub Mike Harris has the chance on Sunday morning to cement a starting place at fullback as Queensland attempt to notch a fourth straight Super Rugby victory for the first time in nine years.
Following a number of eye-catching cameos, Harris will make his run-on debut against the Lions in Johannesburg as one of four new faces in the third-placed Reds' starting 15.
The North Harbour recruit replaces injured No 15 Ben Lucas (groin) as Wallabies winger Digby Ioane has been shifted to outside centre and coach Ewen McKenzie has rested hard-working tight-five duo Rob Simmons and Ben Daley on the bench.
McKenzie admitted Harris, 22, had a gilt-edged opportunity to nail a starting place after showing his class as a utility who has impressed at inside centre and five-eighth.
"We've seen glimpses and it's all been very positive," he told AAP from Johannesburg. "We're pretty confident with the range of skills he's got.
"It's a big challenge for him as he's been impressive off the bench and now he'll be straight out there but he's a very professional operator and I'm sure he'll make the most of the opportunity."
Harris' starting role also gives Queensland the added advantage of a long-range goalkicker who first-choice Quade Cooper can hand off penalty goal attempts to from well beyond half-way at altitude.
The 190cm tall back, who is eligible for the Wallabies due to an Australian-born grandmother, is a strong tackler and will also defend in the front-line, allowing playmaker Cooper to continue counter-attack from fullback.
"He can attack the ball at the breakdown and he enjoys that part of the game and they were all part of the reasons why we recruited him," McKenzie said.
Ioane's move to the midfield, to give him more chance to run the ball against a Lions side reluctant to kick, opens the door for speedster Luke Morahan to make his first start of the year on the wing.
The Reds have scored 13 tries in their last two wins over the Rebels and Cheetahs, following a grinding triumph over the Brumbies, to jump to third on the overall competition standings.
The last time Queensland won four straight was under Mark McBain in 2002 when they finished fifth.
McKenzie has rotated Daley and Simmons with Greg Holmes and Adam Wallace-Harrison, respectively, to manage the workload of his leading men and also ensure fringe players were given the chance to impress.
"We're searching for our best combinations and while happy with where we are at, we are always looking to get better," he said.
"We've got a talented squad and it's important to keep them all motivated and interested."
30th March 2011
Mike Harris at Queensland Reds training.
Source: The Courier-Mail
REDS coach Ewen McKenzie has made five changes to his starting line-up for the Super Rugby clash with the Lions in Johannesburg.
The match will kick off at 11pm (Qld time) on Saturday and will be televised live on Fox Sports.In the starting backline, Wallaby Digby Ioane has shifted to outside centre, Mike Harris will be at fullback to replace the injured Ben Lucas, and Luke Morahan goes on to the wing.
This will be offseason recruit Harris's first start for the Reds after coming off the bench in previous rounds .
In the forwards Greg Holmes has earned selection at loosehead prop while Adam Wallace-Harrison will pack down alongside captain James Horwill in the second row.
"We're searching for our best combinations and while happy with where we are at, we are always looking to get better," McKenzie said.
"With Ben Lucas injured Mike has earned his place at fullback. He has done everything asked of him and has struck up a good combination with Quade, along with being a very talented kicker."
On the bench Ian Prior is in line to make his Super Rugby debut after being chosen as the replacement halfback.
Prior was a key player for the Premier Rugby championship winning University team and was selected for the Australian U20s last season.
Reds team (from fullback): Mike Harris, Rod Davies, Digby Ioane, Anthony Faingaa, Luke Morahan, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Leroy Houston, Beau Robinson, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (c), Adam Wallace-Harrison, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Greg Holmes.
Reserves: James Hanson, Ben Daley, Rob Simmons, Radike Samo, Jake Schatz, Ian Prior, Ben Tapuai.
21 March Christchurch Press
Former All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson believes Queensland's Kiwi recruit Mike Harris didn't fit the New Zealand rugby mould but should make his homeland pay with the Reds, and possibly Wallabies.
Harris's sensational round five Super Rugby cameo didn't surprise Wilson, his North Harbour coach, in the slightest with the dual international predicting New Zealand's loss would be Australia's long-term gain.
Harris made a line break with his first touch of the ball, scored two tries in two minutes and then set up the Reds' final try, and converted it from the sideline, to ensure a record 53-3 victory over the Melbourne Rebels.
A virtual unknown before the weekend, he's now being spoken about as a Wallabies prospect courtesy of an Australia-born grandmother.
While desperate to keep the former New Zealand Schoolboys and Under 20 rep at home late last year, Wilson couldn't be happier for Harris, who is ready and willing to switch allegiances.
Wilson said the tall and powerful 22-year-old "flourished" at five-eighth in the New Zealand provincial competition but was unable to pick up a Super Rugby contract with any of the five Kiwi franchises.
"Unfortunately he wasn't able to get a chance here and I'm disappointed about that," the 60-Test winger said. "I tried very hard to get him in somewhere around New Zealand but a lot of people stayed loyal to their (local) players.
"Mike is a very combative, very aggressive first five-eighth. In New Zealand we tend to look at ball distributors a little more.
"Sometimes it's about fitting the mould and here in New Zealand he just didn't fit it at the right time.
"From my perspective it's great for him. He's enjoying it over there and he's thriving."
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie, aware of the utility back's heritage, swooped last September and Harris jumped at the chance to be playmaker Quade Cooper's back-up.
"I wasn't getting too much interest back home," Harris said. "I felt like I was plateauing a little bit.
"If I hung around there I would have been hoping and waiting on a draft contract."
Although his grandmother, Marion O'Connell, lived in Australia for just the first five years of her life, Harris is feeling more Aussie every day after producing one of the best 20-minute cameos seen in Super Rugby.
On a two-year deal with the Reds, he admitted he wouldn't give a second thought to jumping ship if he continued to take his opportunities and Robbie Deans came knocking.
"Yep definitely," he said. "If that opportunity comes I'd take it with two hands and go for it.
"I'm loving Brisbane and the Queensland way of life.
"It's funny, the Australian-born grandmother is living in NZ and the other one, born in New Zealand, is living on the Gold Coast."
Harris, a great foil for the mercurial Cooper, is in the frame to make his first start for Queensland at inside centre on Saturday with McKenzie admitting Anthony Faingaa could move to outside centre to accommodate him against the Cheetahs at Suncorp Stadium.
Skipper James Horwill's likely return from an ankle injury will hinge on how he pulls up from training on Tuesda
17th March brisbane courier
KIWI recruit Mike Harris flicked the try-switch for the Reds when a 53-3 hammering of the Melbourne Rebels stressed just how serious they are about becoming Australia's top Super Rugby side in 2011.
Victories over the Western Force, ACT Brumbies and now the Rebels in the opening month of the season have set the scene for a blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium on April 23 when the Reds seek revenge over their bogey team - the NSW Waratahs.
It was "Mike Who?" for most of the 22,031 fans at Suncorp Stadium last night when Harris conjured two tries in as many minutes midway through the second half to earn the Reds their vital four-try bonus point.
Reds coach Ewen Mckenzie snapped up Harris, a 22-year-old inside centre/flyhalf, from New Zealand's North Harbour province during the off-season when an Australian-born grandmother gave him eligibility to play for an Australian side..
He played in New Zealand's under-20s World Cup win in 2008 beside future All Blacks Israel Dagg and Zac Guildford so the skill that bubbled out last night was not surprising.
When he ran hard on to a Quade Cooper pass in midfield, he veered over in style.
An opportunist toe-ahead of a wasteful Rebels lost ball created his second try a blink later.
Harris was ecstatic and he finished his dream night by dabbing a cross-kick for Luke Morahan's late try.
The 50-point margin was the biggest in Super Rugby for the Reds, eclipsing the 40-point smashing of the Force at the same ground last year.
2 March 2011 - Courier Mail
ON THE surface Mike Harris is a clean-cut clone of All Blacks superstar flyhalf Dan Carter.
Yet, if you scratch a little beneath the good looks and panache, a gun-toting sharpshooter lurks capable of answering the Reds' call for a new fullback.
Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie is scanning his replacement options for regular fullback Peter Hynes, whose Super Rugby season is in doubt because of a recurring knee injury.
Winger Rod Davies has been cleared of a cheekbone fracture and joins utility Ben Lucas as contenders to wear the No.15 jersey against the Brumbies on Saturday.
Luke Morahan, who played fullback for the Queensland 2nd XV against Tonga on Monday night, and Aidan Toua are also in contention.
But McKenzie could do worse than re-deploy Harris, the New Zealand recruit who has been billed as flyhalf Quade Cooper's understudy.
He made his Super Rugby debut in the inside backs on Saturday night but could comfortably handle fullback.
"I played there back in school when the game was a bit more defence orientated," the 22-year-old said.
"At 10 you kick the ball and end up standing in the back three anyway. I'm used to being back there. The only thing is I haven't run too much in attack at fullback but that would be the only problem."
Harris was an unknown when he arrived at Ballymore late last year but he has an impressive resume.
He grew up on Auckland's North Shore and played in the Junior All Blacks side that won the International Rugby Board's under-20s World Cup in 2008.
"It was a pretty good group," he said of the squad that featured Sam Whitelock, Zac Guildford and Israel Dagg.
Harris is a sharpshooter in more ways than one.
He spent the past four seasons playing for North Harbour in the ITM Cup and was the competition's third-highest marksman last year with 122 points.
McKenzie hinted at a change in tactics after Western Force and Waratahs slowed Queensland's attacking ball.
Harris said the Reds had some tricks up their sleeve for the Brumbies but there would be no huge overhaul.
"It's not major. It's just little things here and there that we can do better," he said.
"You can't do a 180-degree turn in a week."
Week 4 20th February.. Sunday Times
Any thoughts of disappointment Michael Harris had at missing out on a Super Rugby contract in New Zealand didn't last long as he was quickly snapped up by the Reds.
He'll get his first chance to play a competitive match for his new franchise tonight when the Reds take on the Western Force in a rare Sunday game of Super Rugby.
Harris will start the game in the No21 jersey, backing up Wallaby first-five Quade Cooper.
The North Harbour first-five says he's loved his time with the Reds so far, even though the terrible weather that hit Queensland this summer had an affect on all of the squad.
With Cooper arguably the best player in last year's Super 14, Harris' time in the No10 jersey may be limited.
"Obviously, Quade is the incumbent No10 and the Wallabies' first-five. So I see myself as backing up to him," Harris said.
"It's a pretty long season and if he picks up an injury or they need someone to come on and kick a few goals I'd like to fill that role. And I'll also cover a few different positions as well, 12 and 15."
In last year's NPC Harris established himself as the best goal kicker in the competition. Already, after a short time in Brisbane, he is making himself known as a great goal kicker.
And he is eligible for the Wallabies through a grandmother born in Australia and may end up wearing a gold jersey rather than a black one.
"I don't think you can look too far ahead. I want to get on the field for the Reds first and do the business for them. But playing for Australia is not something I'd rule out."
Week 3
SMH
North Harbour playmaking recruit Mike Harris and Australian Under 20 winger Aidan Toua, who pushed out Luke Morahan, are also set to make their Queensland Super debuts as replacements.
Week 3
The Reds have arguably Super Rugby's best halves duo in Will Genia and Quade Cooper, lightning quick wingers in Digby Ioane, Rod Davies, Luke Morahan and Aidan Toua, a class act at fullback in Peter Hynes and tough-as-teak centres Anthony Faingaa, Will Chambers and Ben Tapuai. Throw in Ben Lucas, who can play halfback, flyhalf or fullback, as well as back-up flyhalf Michael Harris, who impressed in the trials
Week 2
Kiwi midfield recruit Mike Harris, still new enough to Australia to be taking photos of kangaroos at a flood relief golf day this week, crossed in the final quarter as a replacement.
Reds 38 (E Quirk, R Davies, J Horwill, L Morahan, M Harris, D Shipperly tries; Q Cooper 2, M Harris, 2 goals) d Brumbies 5 (A Smith try) at Austar Park, Darwin.
Week 1
“We were pleased with some of the guys we've recruited, they've mixed in well and made a very successful contribution."
QUEENSLAND REDS 42(Radike Samo, Will Chambers, Saia Faingaa, Digby Ione, Beau Robinson, Mike Harris tries, Quade Cooper 3 cons, Mike Harris 3 cons) bt CRUSADERS 15 (Robbie Fruean, George Whitelock tries, Tyler Bleyendaal pen, Adam Whitelock con)
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