Rugby nomad Harris hoping to settle with Western Force

[travelling_gerry]

Article from: PerthNow

Nick Taylor, rugby writer
October 20, 2009 01:20pm


RUGBY nomad Sam Harris is hoping to settle down with the Western Force and make Perth his home.
The last time the powerful utility back was in WA was 12 years ago when he played in the national schoolboys competition at Perry Lakes, home of the Force, and went on to make the Australian side.

Harris, 29, has since picked up honours in both rugby codes, playing union for the the Warringah club, the Waratahs, and Japanese club Honda Heat and league for Manly and Wests-Tigers.

"I've got good memories (of Perth)," he said. I'm glad to be back and looking forward to it.

"I want to play professional (rugby) for as long as I can and really looking forward to playing under John (coach John Mitchell). He's always interested me."

Harris, who became the father of twins, Scarlet Luella and Anais Rain four weeks ago said Mitchell played a big part in his decision to come to Perth.

"That was definitely the main one, and I had a couple of friends who were coming over, or were already here," he said.

Newly signed Force halfback Brett Sheehan was a Warringah teammate this season and he was at primary school with Force winger Haig Sare.

Sheehan says Harris has plenty to offer a new-look Force team.

"Notably experience, but just knowing what to do in certain situations and not making the same mistakes twice," he said.

"They (Force younger players) have still got to come through that process, I've been there, done that."

Harris prefers five-eighth where he was playing outside Sheehan for Warringah but is equally at home at inside centre.

"I just love having the ball in my hands and picking options but 10 or 12 doesn't bother me as long as I'm in the team," he said.

Harris played for Honda Heat before this season's appearances back at Warringah.

He won the Ken Catchpole Medal in 2000 while playing for Warringah and played for Australia ‘A’ in 2002.

In league he represented City in the annual clash with Country in 2004.


http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...005401,00.html

[Burgs]

I think this may end up being the (new) signing of the season.

[GIGS20]

He certainly will push hard for a spot, but there's some serious competition developing for both the spots he wants.

Pretorius as the marquee signing would have to be high on the list of #10s Harris, O'Connor Daruda, Tatupu and possibly even Sare could push for one of those spots

[Burgs]

To clarify, signing this year over the course of his Force career