Harris: Ready for All Blacks
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Australia's New Zealand-born full-back Mike Harris is hoping home ground advantage helps break the All Blacks' impressive winning streak.
The Wallabies' trans-Tasman rivals have already secured the Bledisloe Cup - as well as the World Cup and Rugby Championship crowns - during a 16-Test victory run.
The Brisbane clash is a dead rubber in the annual Bledisloe Cup tussle between the rivals, with the All Blacks winning the opening two games, but Saturday's match is seen as an important Test for coach Robbie Deans and his troubled side.
Australia finished second in the recent Rugby Championship tournament, ahead of Argentina and South Africa but lagging New Zealand after a humiliating 22-0 defeat in their second meeting.
Deans has presided over just three victories from 17 games against the ascendant All Blacks in the past four years and scrutiny has mounted during an inconsistent 2012 campaign marred by injuries to several key players.
"We've had a pretty good record against them at Suncorp, they've shown everyone that they're the best team in the world," said the versatile Harris.
"They've locked up the Bledisloe and locked up the Rugby Championship so in that sort of sense there's not to much to lose and everything to gain."
Harris will retain goal-kicking duties after impressing in Argentina, and is excited by the prospect of playing his first Test against the nation of his birth at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
"Every Test is obviously massive but in terms of the All Blacks, they're the best in the world and I guess you always want to test yourself against the best so it's definitely one you look forward to," said the Reds utility back.
"There's no better way to have your first Test against the All Blacks than on your home ground."
Harris, who has played fly-half, inside centre and now the unfamiliar role of full-back in his five-cap career, is under no illusions of the challenge keeping the likes of Dan Carter and rival fifteen Israel Dagg at bay.
"Luckily Dan's been in the All Blacks jersey a long time so I've been able to watch him and know where he likes to kick it. That definitely helps in terms of my positioning," he said.
"Dagg was earmarked at a young age, he was a phenomenal athlete and a great talent right from schoolboy level," added Harris.
"He was always destined for bigger and better things and he's been outstanding."
Comments
AWEBLAX says...
Trinats2
So are you suggesting that when the Wallabies lose on Saturday, they'll be no whinning about favouritism. cheating or injuries on this site by you or your fellow countrymen because I sure as hell can't say my fellow Kiwis won't gloat about it.
I suggest you don't take the bait and sit back, appreciate and watch the greatness of this AllBlack Machine, humble enough for you now.......
Posted 06:37 19th October 2012
hellovanite says...
Ok...Apologies to all those of English decent and all the convicts too
Posted 06:08 19th October 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
Trinats2! his old man John is part Samoan & his Ma is a Kiwi (pakeha)..Just in case you are hinting he is exclusively Samoan! like most of us kiwi Polynesians he has NZ European ancestry as well. And as to Mike Harris! Good on the dude he's made a fine fist of his opportunities & has added rugby international to his resume (awesome).
Here's to an entertaining match this weekend..I'm expecting a very physical tough first half (penalties) & then for the AB's to rip in the 2nd..I'm expecting the likes of wycliff & Higgers to run out of puff..
Posted 22:44 18th October 2012
dropkick says...
The question for the Wallabies is how are they going to conjure a win. This season has been marked by the absence any discernable strategy or pattern and the inability to do much to unlock defences. Do they have the cattle to hack through the middle of the ABs defence around the ruck? No. Do they have the legs out wide? Maybe. Do they have the confidence to do anything other than hang in there and hope to create chaos at the ruck and burgle the odd try? If this game goes pear shaped and messy then you will know the Aussies are actually in it. Still a far cry from the great Wallaby fast and furious - spin it wide approach of days gone by.
All we do know is that in 2012 they have bought 2/5 of FA to the table. What they do have is guts and an opportunists nose for a gap. If the ABs get a roll on it will be grisly.
Posted 22:17 18th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
2eyedkiwi:
No fear of an Aussie girl going home with ewe !
You have a lucky flock, their father and husband has a sense of humour !!!
Posted 21:35 18th October 2012
2eyedkiwi says...
@Trinats6, I'd never go home with an Aussie girl, on fear of losing my laptop or wallet. As for Sheep, please don't bring my wife and children in to this
Posted 18:36 18th October 2012
Trader2 says...
hellovanite
Don't insult the Poms
Posted 14:40 18th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
2eyedkiwi:
"You're single, not much of a looker (lets not deny it), at the pub with some mates, its getting late, and there's 2 girls left at the bar. One is a hottie that you have absolutely zero chance with (the All Blacks), and the other is super fugly but you know you're definately in (The Wallabies). In all honesty, and we've all been there, - which way you gonna go?? "
Are you saying your going for the Wallabies, for an ugly win !!!
An Aussie would only go for the "hottie"
Kiwis, well they would go home with a sheep !!!
hellovanite:
Pom ? Don't insult me.
Posted 13:24 18th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
AWEBLAX:
Very humble of you mate !
Posted 10:25 18th October 2012
2eyedkiwi says...
@tha_mai. Don't get too wired up by our ANZAC brother Trinats4. He's a Queenslander (in case his english didn't give it away), he can't help it. He also is quietly in love with SBW, hence being the biggest commenter on SBW on this site, and bringing n SBW to a thread about Mike Harris?
Here's how I see the jumping ship debate. If its out of your control, or you are less than 16yrs old, then you're not moving for sport reasons, eg Quade Coopers folks leaving NZ when he was 14. Quades notable rugby years were in Aussie, and now he is a true Aussie. Much like Ben Franks leaving Aussie when he was 1 (as his NZ parents decided to return home), and he's a true Kiwi. Or Jerome Kaino leaving WS when he was 8.
On the other hand, I see Mike Harris much like a Ricki Flutey, Isaac Boss, or Shane Howarth. Never had what it took to play for the AB's, so took their 2nd or 3rd options in order to get a test cap and get paid. (And good on them btw)
Here's another way of looking at it. You're single, not much of a looker (lets not deny it), at the pub with some mates, its getting late, and there's 2 girls left at the bar. One is a hottie that you have absolutely zero chance with (the All Blacks), and the other is super fugly but you know you're definately in (The Wallabies). In all honesty, and we've all been there, - which way you gonna go??
Posted 09:33 18th October 2012
hellovanite says...
Trinats2... are you of English decent? maybe we should call you a pom. Like Samoan Kiwi SBW, Aussie Pommy Mike Harris was born in NZ. A lot of Islanders were born in NZ. It's a little rich when you consider how many foreign born players (count the Kiwis) are in the Wallabies
Posted 09:21 18th October 2012
bigb6969 says...
sukkadoits - I love that suggestion of playing the non-Henekien cup teams, that is one way of getting the games in during a very crowded season. Would rather they played the top teams, but that is realistic...I miss the long tours as well.
Posted 08:49 18th October 2012
AWEBLAX says...
@thai-mai great points as long as you realize that one of the reasons why the Kiwis do better overseas is because of the depth in NZ, take for example Evans v DC or Masoe v Richie or Rocokoko/Sivivatu v the younger Savea/Jane/Gear combinations, we always tend to have players at home who are good enough for any international team in the world, but just can't make the ABs cut, as for Harris imo he would not have got anywhere near a Black jersey. Cuddos to Harris he's picked up the Aussie mentality of talking themselves up and something tells me he's also able to come up with all the excuses in the world another Oz trait when reality or the ABs bite them in the you know what......
Posted 08:11 18th October 2012
tha_mai says...
As it is officially a Bledisloe Cup match, I presume the All Blacks will take it with them to be shown on the sideline? As my sports feed always cuts out with the final whistle I don't get to see after-match interviews (was it a game of two halves, perchance?) or trophy/cup presentations - will there be one after this match?
Not to be outdone, the Qantas Wallabies could maybe borrow the Bingham Cup, the lastest (only?) addition to the Australian trophy cabinet
Posted 07:50 18th October 2012
sukkadoits says...
@ArmchairGeneral as other posters have said there are still very real motives for this test match not excluding the dollar imperative. If Oz had managed to win 1 of the last 2 the anticipation would've been much more intense. But it is still great idea you propose that the SH sides play the best non Heineken cup sides leading up to the November Internationals. As a rugby lover I really miss those games we used to have during the days of full tours.
Posted 05:12 18th October 2012
The_Block says...
It's a Bledisloe Cup match. That's why. Now quit your jibberjabber. Our two proud nations battling it out for a cup we've shared for generations. Looking forward to this test as I always do between the Mighty ABs and our proud ANZAC brothers across the Tasman.
Posted 22:24 17th October 2012
paulynz says...
@Houston_11
The Bledisloe Cup is decided on a best out of three format. The ABs won the first two matches which included a 22-0 win in the second game. Yes, that was 22 to the ABs and a donut to the Wallabies.
Posted 18:50 17th October 2012
three6three6 says...
Unfortunately this fixture was scheduled months ago... as a third Bledisloe Cup test (outside of the Rugby Championship). Please do not suggest for one moment that this will be anything other than a full on international rugby union test match. We saw the ABs playing at altitude in Soweto a couple of weeks ago and defending their reputations. Expect the same high intensity game on Saturday. Will we see a repeat of 2011 when the Wallabies won what was the old Trinations competition? It is extremely doubtful that the Wallabies could trouble the ABs based upon current form in the RC. This ABs team is going to break the world record on the European Tour (against Scoland) and then set a new record against England (the last match of the Tour)
Posted 17:16 17th October 2012
melkdave says...
@ArmchairGenral
Mate i think your fotgettting just how much ,the Blesdoe means to both australiains and New Zealanders,i realy think if they where offered the Blesdoe or the world cup ,both sets of supporters would think about it lol.As to this weekends match ,yes its a dead rubber because NZ have already won the 1st 2 matches,But that doesnt mean both sets of supporters havent got some pride invested in the result.Its also good preparation for their aurtum tours ,and makes a fair amount of money for te unions ,which both badly need.
Posted 16:15 17th October 2012
Ramage says...
Keep hoping Mike.
Posted 16:11 17th October 2012