"It's pretty exciting being here in Havelock North's 125th anniversary year. All the boys have been really welcoming and they're pretty passionate. Everything is looking pretty good," said the former Blues under-18 rep who played for the Grammar Carlton club before heading to St Kentigern College where he was coached by current Magpies assistant coach Josh Syms.
"I had two years under Josh at first XV level but I knew him before that. He has been a pretty good mentor to me and we've always kept in touch," Morrison said.
"It was good to have 80 minutes in the heat last weekend. I was pretty knackered afterwards and MAC with their big physical boys will be another challenge ... it's important we continue to work on our systems. Havelock North have under performed during the last couple of years and we've got the Nash Cup to build towards the Maddison Trophy so we just have to be consistent week in week out."
A former teammate of All Blacks loosie Dalton Papali'i and Blues flanker Blake Gibson in school and Auckland age group teams, Morrison, had four years in the Canterbury academy when he moved south to complete his engineering degree and study business.
He intends to use those qualifications when hunting for a job in the Bay.
The former Canterbury 20s and Canterbury B rep, Morrison, said he enjoyed learning from the Canterbury and Crusaders hookers when he was in Christchurch.
"They had awesome training habits."
Morrison has already been to a couple of sessions with the Magpies wider training group.
"Learning everyone's names has been the hardest part," he quipped.
When he has time out from rugby Morrison likes to listen to music, particularly the Eagles and the Rolling Stones and he is also enjoys fishing expeditions with family members.
Syms said he tipped Morrison to have a bright future when he saw him come through the Auckland Secondary Schools system.
"Matt is a highly driven committed kid and we're hell of a lucky to have him here creating competition for the third hooker's spot with the Magpies."
Syms said Morrison will be up against the likes of Hastings Rugby and Sports Jacob Devery and Napier Old Boys Marist's Jack Nelson-Murray in the battle for the third ranked hooker's berth behind long-serving Magpies captain Ash Dixon and his deputy Kianu Kereru-Symes.
"When we offered to help Matt find a club he told us he would do all his own interviews for a club, flat and a job ... that's the type of bloke he is."
Morrison was ranked behind the likes of All Black Codie Taylor, Ben Funnell and Nathan Vella in Canterbury.
With Magpies loosie Solomone Funaki unavailable for MAC through injury Havelock North could win by nine points.
While Northfuels Central will welcome back the services of co-captain and Magpies lock Tom Parsons from Hurricanes wider training squad commitments they will still be doing well to get within 30 points of defending champions WIT Napier Old Boys Marist at Tremain Field.
Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports should pip Maddison Trophy holders Tremains Andrew Clark Clive by seven at Elwood Park, Taradale Rugby and Sports boast enough ammunition to beat Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical by 25 at Tareha Recreational Reserve and Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports should pip Tamatea by six at Bill Mathewson Park.