Rugby: Change from Blues to Reds

Mike Harris. Photo / Brett Phibbs

North Harbour five-eighths Mike Harris has signed for the Reds in the expanded Super Rugby series.

The 22-year-old will see out the rest of the ITM Cup before heading across the Tasman to begin a two-year deal with the Queensland franchise.

"I'd not heard anything from the Blues so thought this could be a change for the better," Harris said. "It's been in the pipeline for a while and as an aspiring rugby player it is an opportunity for me to go to the next level. I need to play Super rugby to reach my goals."

Harris is eligible for the Wallabies through an Australian-born grandmother and has relatives in Queensland.

"I have been signed as backup to Quade Cooper," Harris said.

"But they have also talked about using my goalkicking possibly at fullback."

Harris is the second Harbour player to join an Australian franchise in recent times with flanker Tom Chamberlain going to the Melbourne Rebels.

Both players are keen to return for next year's ITM Cup, but those details have not been finalised.

"I am very pleased that Michael has accepted the offer to join the Reds," coach Ewen McKenzie said.

"I think he will be able to play a range or positions for us and he also brings an outstanding goalkicking ability that has seen him in the 80-90 per cent range in the last two seasons.

"He is tall and quick and we are very confident that there is plenty of improvement in him."

Harris played for the New Zealand under-20s and has been involved in four seasons with Harbour.