Michael Harris
Inside Centre
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Profile
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Height:
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186cm
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Weight:
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96kg
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Date Of Birth:
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08/07/1988
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Place of Birth:
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North Harbour, NZ
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Rugby Career
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Senior Club:
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University
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Stats
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Provincial Rugby Caps:
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29
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Provincial Rugby Points:
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199 (3t, 29c, 41p, 1d)
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Provincial Rugby Debut:
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Feb 2011 v NSW Waratahs, Anz Stadium, Sydney
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Super Rugby Caps:
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29
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Super Rugby Points:
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199 (3t, 29c, 41p, 1d)
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Super Rugby Debut:
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Feb 2011 v NSW Waratahs, Anz Stadium, Sydney
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Test Rugby Caps:
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8
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Test Rugby Points:
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55 (1t, 1c, 16p)
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Test Rugby Debut:
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2012 v Scotland, Newcastle
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2011 St.George Queensland Reds Rookie of the Year Mike Harris backed up his impressive debut Super Rugby season by solidifying his place within the Reds midfield during 2012 before going on to earn national honours in an incredible 12 months.
It was a record-breaking Super Rugby campaign for Mike with his accurate goal-kicking first drawing headlines in the early stages of the year after he broke South African sharpshooter Morne Steyn’s goal kicking record of 21 successful attempts in a row, when he calmly slotted his 24th consecutive goal against the Western Force in round two.
Mike also successfully kicked nine goals at Suncorp Stadium that night to equal the feat of Queensland great John Eales set back in 1996 for goals kicked in a single match.
After beginning the 2012 season at flyhalf, Mike shifted to the No.12 jersey for the Reds tour of South Africa although his transition was unfortunately cut short when a hamstring injury just 22 minutes into their clash with the Sharks in Durban forced the New-Zealand born talent to miss four matches.
However, unfazed by the setback, Mike quickly returned to peak form following his recovery to earn selection at inside centre for the remaining 10 Super Rugby matches of the year, including the Reds’ qualifying final against the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium.
His form was recognised with Mike making his Wallabies debut against Scotland during the June Test window. However it was a week later, in Australia’s opening Test against Wales, where the goal kicking sharpshooter made his biggest mark. With the final siren sounding and the Wallabies trailing by one point, Harris calmly stepped up to successfully slot a long-range penalty goal to see Australia home 25-23.
When he made his Test debut against Scotland in June, Mike Harris joined the 1991 Rugby World Cup-winner Willie Ofahengaue, and current front-rower Sekope Kepu, as a senior Australian representative after first having played age-group rugby for New Zealand.
To cap off a memorable 2012 season for Harris, he produced a standout performance for University in their Queensland Premier Rugby Hospital Cup victory over Sunnybank, setting up three of the team’s six tries in the grand final, while also adding 16 points through the boot.
Mike was signed to the Reds on a two-year deal in 2011 after impressing coach Ewen McKenzie during his four seasons playing at North Harbour in the National Provincial Rugby competition.
A knee injury crippled his finish to his breakout year, missing the final seven matches, after making his Super Rugby debut against the Waratahs in round two from the bench.
Despite having already played for New Zealand at a junior level, Mike is eligible for Wallabies selection by the way of an Australian-born grandmother.
DID YOU KNOW?
Before joining the Reds, Mike was capped 43 times for North Harbour in New Zealand’s NPC competition, recording 289 points during his four seasons.
***Updated 14/05/2013***