Nathan Harris (rugby union)

Nathan Harris
Full name Nathan Harris
Date of birth 8 March 1992
Place of birth Tauranga, New Zealand
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 106 kg (234 lb)
School Tauranga Boys' College
Notable relative(s) Perry Harris (grandfather)
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Hooker
New Zealand No. 1135
Provincial/State sides
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2012– Bay of Plenty 17 (5)
correct as of 9 October 2014.
Super Rugby
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2014– Chiefs 12 (0)
correct as of 21 July 2014.
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2012
2014–
New Zealand U20
 New Zealand
5
2
(5)
(5)
correct as of 3 November 2014.

Nathan Harris (born 8 March 1992) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a hooker for Bay of Plenty in the ITM Cup[1][2] and the Chiefs in Super Rugby.[3][4]

Career

Harris debuted for Bay of Plenty during the 2012 ITM Cup, however he only made a solitary appearance during that campaign and it wasn't until the following year that he established himself as the Steamers' number one hooker. Despite a disappointing season for his side in 2013, Harris' individual performances were impressive. Initially, he was not named in any of New Zealand's five Super Rugby franchises squads for the 2014 Super Rugby season. But, the defending champion Chiefs, who had selected Hikawera Elliot, Mahonri Schwalger and Rhys Marshall as their hookers were struck with a selection crisis as Elliot and Schwalger went down with injuries prior to the start of the season. This opened the door for Harris to join the Hamilton based outfit on a short-term contract.[4] He made his super rugby debut in week 1 of the season as the Chiefs defeated the Crusaders in Christchurch.[5]

International career

Harris was a member of the New Zealand Under 20 side which finished as runners-up in the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa. Ironically, Harris was first-choice hooker during the competition with his back up being future Chiefs team-mate Rhys Marshall, who he would later play back-up to.[6]

References

  1. "Bay of Plenty Steamers Players". Bay of Plenty Rugby. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  2. "Nathan Harris itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  3. "Nathan Harris Chiefs Player Profile". Chiefs Rugby. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Chiefs' rookie hooker takes big step up". Waikato Times. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  5. "Crusaders vs Chiefs 21 February 2014 Match Breakdown". SA Rugby. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  6. "2012 New Zealand Under 20 squad named". All Blacks.com. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2014.