Future in a Gold Shirt

Little-known New Zealand back Mark Harris, that Reds coach Ewen McKenzie recruited to the club this year, has been earmarked as a future Wallaby after a fine start to the year and because his Australian grandmother makes him eligible. McKenzie travelled to New Zealand to watch Harris play for North Harbour and saw something in him that local coaches had missed. “He had some attributes that were different to what other guys offered,” McKenzie says. “And as soon as I met him I knew he was the right kind of bloke. He is a good style of a guy and has a good background.” Harris didn’t need much persuading to move to Australia and join the Reds. If the chance ever arose to play against the All Blacks, Harris insists there would be no mixed emotions. “Once you are welcomed into a team, that is it,” he said.