Michael Harris signs with the Reds! (and possibly the Wallabies)

[ranger]

http://www.redsrugby.com.au/library/news/2010/101012_reds_announce_final_player_signing,72916.html

I'm pretty disappointed with this, Mike Harris is a great player and really deserved more of a shot at Super rugby in the last few years, hes probably the best firstfive in the Blues cachement. Now he has been picked up by the Reds and with his Wallaby eligibility we may not see him back in NZ again.
Its interesting that hes taken this up now, both the Rebels and the Force approached him very early on in the piece and he turned them down, this is probably further indication that Beauden Barrett is heading to Auckland

 

[markshaw]

Pat Lam's a **** wit

 

[SnapperNZ]

ITA with markshaw! It `s quite obvious the n**wits that run the Blues franchise are absolutely biased when having to choose players from local clubs for the Blues squad. They persist with wannabes from other provinces who has come & gone without much success and have done nothing to improve the Blues outfit at all. No wonder they`re a former shadow of the team that ran riot in the 90`s.

Local boy, Michael Harris has worked hard to improve on his allround game and it was very clear in this season`s Provincial championship that he was one of the few standouts of the compo although playing in a dismal performing North Harbour side. Obviously the Reds like what they see in this homegrown talent and good on Harris for taking up the chance to play Super Rugby in OZ. From the North Shore of Auckland, we`ll eagerly watch his star rise across the ditch.

 

[markshaw]

exactly..i mean when he turned down spencer for brett (a shittier version of spencer) i knew we were doomed this season. he does good things then blows it with stupid errors. every game. just play mcalistair at 10 next year hes not great but hes better then brett and hes all we have.

 

[Shaggy]

exactly..i mean when he turned down spencer for brett (a shittier version of spencer) i knew we were doomed this season. he does good things then blows it with stupid errors. every game. just play mcalistair at 10 next year hes not great but hes better then brett and hes all we have.

While i agree that Harris and other local talent should be retained where possible, why would you sign Spenser who is about turn 35, over Brett who is 25 ... I'm not a Brett fan either, but, while they both are experienced at Super level, Brett is more likely to last the distance at least.

The Blues IMO, have a problem retaining players in the key positions such as 9 and 10 long enough to develop key combinations ... don't want to go back into ancient history too much, but the Crusaders were rubbish when super 12 first started, but they built up a champion team by retaining their players and developing them into a successful squad

 

[ranger]

I didn't see too much of a problem with selecting Brett as he shows glimpses of top class play, but where they really ****** up was selecting Daniel Kirkpatrick and letting Daniel Bowden and Micheal Harris go. Kirkpatrick hasn't done anything to warrant selection for any super rugby team. He has been ousted in his ITM cup team by a halfback! They could have also tried to get Micheal Hobbs back, he spent a year at the Blues and they just let him slip away.
I like the look of Gareth Anscombe too, he looks pretty talented. Hopefully Lam picks up both Barrett and Anscombe and lets them battle it out for the 21 jersey. One thing is for sure, between Lima Sopoaga, Gareth Anscombe and Beauden Barrett there is going to be one hell of a scrap for the NZ Under 20s 10 jersey next year. Add to that Tyler Bleyendaal, Aaron Cruden and Robbie Robinson, i can't remember the last time New Zealand had such a logjam of young talent at first five.

 

[SnapperNZ]

One thing is for sure, between Lima Sopoaga, Gareth Anscombe and Beauden Barrett there is going to be one hell of a scrap for the NZ Under 20s 10 jersey next year. Add to that Tyler Bleyendaal, Aaron Cruden and Robbie Robinson, i can't remember the last time New Zealand had such a logjam of young talent at first five.

Yup, talented players all over the place but ripe for off-shore pickings if NZRU does not retain & develop these youngsters over the next few years. But I`m afraid the professional rugby landscape have already changed too much and the reality is that NZRU don`t have the means to keep our boys on home soil. Eventually we`ll just become a feeder rugby nation :-(

 

[Darwin]

I'm pretty disappointed as well that Mike Harris will not be in the Blues - he's been improving steadily over the last few years. His goalkicking has been good this year, while I've also been impressed with his defense - it used to be a weakness in his game, but now it seems to be a strength. He's also more than capable of playing 12, so would have provided even more versatility within the squad.

With MacAlister capable of covering 10, I think there is only really one backup 10 spot available in the Blues (behind Brett), with Barrett, Anscombe, and possibly Ben Botica the main contenders. By the sounds of it Barrett has the edge at this stage, however the fact that Anscombe is getting consistent starts for Auckland may allow him to push his case more than Barrett, who only seems to be getting a few minutes off the bench each week.

 

[Ru33a]

Pat Lam needs to be sacked.., Bring in the whole Northland Coaching Staff.., Its probably better with them.
The Blues need to find better coaches..

 

[nickdnz]

I'm pretty disappointed as well that Mike Harris will not be in the Blues - he's been improving steadily over the last few years. His goalkicking has been good this year, while I've also been impressed with his defense - it used to be a weakness in his game, but now it seems to be a strength. He's also more than capable of playing 12, so would have provided even more versatility within the squad.

With MacAlister capable of covering 10, I think there is only really one backup 10 spot available in the Blues (behind Brett), with Barrett, Anscombe, and possibly Ben Botica the main contenders. By the sounds of it Barrett has the edge at this stage, however the fact that Anscombe is getting consistent starts for Auckland may allow him to push his case more than Barrett, who only seems to be getting a few minutes off the bench each week.

If Barret goes to Auckland, the Hurricanes will be f*cked. Yes, we'll have Cruden, but we won't have any other quality 1st 5/8th. If we have to rely on Kirkpatrick again, that's our season over. It seems Australia really are stealing so many New Zealand players.

 

[bobbilycious]

Barrett is in the wider training squad for the Hurricanes. Hurricanes have signed Kirkpatrick, too.

 

[Wally]

Never heard of the bloke but seems like a good pick up for us. Don't know how much game time he'll get though with Cooper and Faingaa the established pairing.

 

[ranger]

Never heard of the bloke but seems like a good pick up for us. Don't know how much game time he'll get though with Cooper and Faingaa the established pairing.

Those two wont play every game weather it be down to being injured or just needing a rest. Mike Harris is one of the better 10-12 bench options in the competition.

 

[lovesrugby]

Mike Harris is an exciting and classy player and can play equally well at pivot & second five-eighth. He has been the lynchpin this season in a poor performing North Harbour team. Justly rewarded with S15 contract. Accurate goalkicker and was one of top 3 goalkickers in this years ITM cup... an excellent feat especially when his team only managed to win 4/13 games! Scoring 122 of North Harbour`s 359 points is a good indication of his value. Strong runner, good offload, line breaks well and has improved much on defence. Set up quite a few bullocking runs & tries for top try scorer big Matt Luamanu (picked up by the Blues)with clever inside plays. North Shore locals quite peeved that Mike was overlooked for the Blues but then Ewen McKenzie obviously saw the value the skillful Harris can bring to his squad. Yeah, only hope he gets enough game time to show off his talents at the Reds. Be rest assured Harris will be more than able back- up to Cooper and the likes....if not better

 

[SnapperNZ]

Mike Harris is an exciting and classy player and can play equally well at pivot & second five-eighth. He has been the lynchpin this season in a poor performing North Harbour team. Justly rewarded with S15 contract. Accurate goalkicker and was one of top 3 goalkickers in this years ITM cup... an excellent feat especially when his team only managed to win 4/13 games! Scoring 122 of North Harbour`s 359 points is a good indication of his value. Strong runner, good offload, line breaks well and has improved much on defence. Set up quite a few bullocking runs & tries for top try scorer big Matt Luamanu (picked up by the Blues)with clever inside plays. North Shore locals quite peeved that Mike was overlooked for the Blues but then Ewen McKenzie obviously saw the value the skillful Harris can bring to his squad. Yeah, only hope he gets enough game time to show off his talents at the Reds. Be rest assured Harris will be more than able back- up to Cooper and the likes....if not better

ITA with your comments on Harris, he was a class act this season for dismal Harbour. Will be interesting to see how he goes at Queensland.

 

[nharbour]

Why the hell didn't the blues pick him up, had a solid season in a crap north harbour team, now we've lost him to Australia! Does anyone reckon he'll come back to play for north harbour next season?

 

[lovesrugby]

Why the hell didn't the blues pick him up, had a solid season in a crap north harbour team, now we've lost him to Australia! Does anyone reckon he'll come back to play for north harbour next season?

Not sure although I might have read somewhere that he & Tom Chamberlain may be allowed to play in NZ after the S15 season ends ??:huh:?....but it remains to be seen if Harris & Chamberlain would want to play 2nd Division ITM next year<_<.

On Harris not been picked up by Blues will remain a mystery although truthfully he`ll be better off plying his trade in OZ and have a better chance to establish his professional career with less pressure on him. The Blues unfortunately has not done right with their choices since the departure of Carlos Spencer although Nick Evans did fairly well in his one season at the Blues. Brett is still not the goods and neither is Munro..they both had a season or two at owning the pivot spot but not with much conviction.