Harris' show-stealing cameo sparks talk of Kiwi stealing for Wallabies
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday March 21, 2011
KIWI sensation Mike Harris has declared he will have no issues switching allegiance to Australia should he be offered a spot in the Wallabies squad.After producing the most talked about 19-minute cameo of the Super Rugby season, Harris has caught the eye of national selectors, and has piled pressure on Reds coach Ewen McKenzie to throw him into their starting line-up.Harris, 22, knows he must prove himself in the Super Rugby arena to warrant higher honours but his performance nevertheless has sparked queries about his international leaning, given he has already represented the All Blacks' under-20s side but is eligible for the Wallabies through his Australian grandmother."If that opportunity comes with the Wallabies then great, I certainly won't be closing any options down there. You'd be pretty stupid to turn your back on a Test jersey," Harris said. "I am definitely with the Reds for the next two years. Who knows after that? I might stay here forever."Until I've put one Test jersey on, I really don't know how I'm going to feel about it. If that opportunity does come along, I would jump at that. It is definitely something I would love to do and aspire to do."Harris was brought on at centre against Melbourne, and in his first three touches made a break and scored two tries. He then set up a superb touchdown when his pinpoint 40 metre crossfield chip found winger Luke Morahan, before slotting the sideline conversion.Recruited by McKenzie as a back-up to Quade Cooper at five-eighth, Harris seems set to become another player to sting his nation of birth.Despite spending four years at North Harbour and impressing during the ITM Cup last year, Harris failed to grab the attention of the Blues selectors, and leapt at the opportunity given by McKenzie.Now he must convince the coach to move him off the bench."I did sign knowing I would be a back-up to Quade, he is the incumbent Wallaby No.10," Harris said. "With injuries, you get opportunities wherever you are on the field."Australian team of the week ‚€œ round 5Each week, Greg Growden and Jamie Pandaram select the best players from the Australian provinces in each position for the round (number of times selected in brackets). 15: Cameron Shepherd (Force) (2) 14: Digby Ioane (Reds) (1) 13: Ben Tapuai (Reds) (1) 12: Mike Harris (Reds) (1) 11: Rod Davies (Reds) (1) 10: James O‚„Connor (Force) (2) 9:Will Genia (Reds) (2) 8: Ben McCalman (Force) (4) 7: Matt Hodgson (Force) (3) 6: Scott Higginbotham (Reds) (1) 5: AdamWallace-Harrison (Reds) (1) 4: Rob Simmons (Reds) (2) 3: James Slipper (Reds) (2) 2: Saia Faingaa (Reds) (3) 1: Ben Daley (Reds) (2) Player of the Round: Mike Harris.Reds back-up midfielder was on the field for only 19 minutes for two tries, an assist, and a sideline conversion for a 12-point haul. Try of the Round: Luke Morahan.Evaded many after gathering a brilliant 40-metre crossfield chip by Harris.
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