Rugby: Henare Harris makes award history

Tamatea loosie Henare Harris completes an asphalting job in Napier while on the job as a foreman for P & T Contractors. Photo/Duncan Brown

Tamatea loosie Henare Harris has created a first in the four-year history of the Hawke's Bay club rugby MVP competition.

Despite being a member of the losing team when Tamatea were pipped 30-29 by Northfuels Central in a second round Maddison Trophy fixture at Bill Mathewson Park on Saturday Harris was a unanimous choice for the player-of-the-match. After listening to the kudos heaped on Harris by Central manager Tony Lepelaars it was an easy decision to name him as the 11th weekly winner as the battle for the Tui-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award continued.

"We did well to win the game but Henare was by far the player-of-the-match," Lepelaars said.

The fact it was only openside flanker Harris' second outing of the season for the Waipatu Marae-based club added to the significance of the feat.

"We were gutted with the loss but at the same time we appreciated the improvements which have been made," Harris said referring to the fact Central handed Tamatea a 50-7 thrashing back in April.

"I didn't see any of the boys' Nash Cup games but I heard the stories. We're making progress now and while the main goal is to avoid the promotion-relegation match we're also hoping to beat some of the top teams."

A 13th year Tamatea premier player, Harris, 32, pointed out former All Black hooker Hika Elliot is close to getting the all- clear after recovering from a neck injury which ruled him out of the Super Rugby season. Tamatea supporters haven't forgotten the lift Elliot gave the side when Tamatea upset Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 46-17 last year.

A father of three, Harris, said family commitments and his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schedule prevented him from playing in the Nash Cup rounds. The white belt in the martial art for the past 18 months has won silver and bronze medals in the novice under-93kg division at tournaments to date.

"I was pretty stoked with the medals. All of the family are into it as well as the crossfit which I do at Xtreme Fitness in Hastings and I think this made my return to rugby a lot easier than it could have been."

The physical aspect of his work as a foreman with his father Paul's business P & T Contractors also keeps him in shape. "I might be 32 but I feel like I'm 24," quipped the former Otago University student.

Harris said watching his younger brother, Kiwis and Melbourne Storm rugby league player Tohu Harris, gives him plenty of inspiration.

"I watch Tohu every week and swear at the television when things aren't going well for him."

Harris can expect a rev-up from across the Tasman if Tamatea fail to beat Clive at Farndon Park on Saturday.

"I'm sure it will be another clash of test-match proportions," he added.