Guardians of Grail

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Kiwi Harris always had eye on Wallabies
New Zealander Mike Harris kept it quiet in the schoolyard as a kid but the talented playmaker always had one eye on playing for the Wallabies,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych].
Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie's inspired decision to bring the super-boot across from Auckland two years ago opened the way for Harris to strive towards a gold jersey instead of a black one, because of his Australian-born grandmother.
Harris can't hide the Kiwi accent and accepts the banter that will inevitably come his way from back home if he makes his expected Test debut against Scotland on Tuesday night in Newcastle.
But don't think Harris is taking the honour lightly,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych].
He was serious enough about his Australian heritage to learn Advance Australia Fair as a student at North Harbour's Westlake Boys High,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], and Harris described his call-up to the Australian train-on squad as an emotional moment for he and his family.
Harris could be handed five-eighth and goalkicking duties on debut but the 23-year-old insists he's as ready for those challenges as he is for the anthem,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych].
"I don't know if my mates were aware (of Australian heritage) but I certainly was . I guess it's not something you really talk about at lunch time rugby,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], is it?" said Harris on Thursday.
"There's always a little bit of stick in there (from mates) but . everyone's been very supportive,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych].
"I guess the world's getting smaller ,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]. just because you're born in a country doesn't mean you're there for life.
"It's a very proud moment for me to be named and hopefully if I can impress the coaches enough this week I'll get the chance to put the jersey on."
Parents Fran and Barry shed a tear when their son was named in the preliminary Australian squad,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], and they're preparing to fly out if he is to debut in Newcastle.
Ironically,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Harris' Australian grandmother lives in Auckland and his New Zealand grandmother now resides on the Gold Coast.
But despite battling health issues in recent times,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], his Australian connection, Marion O'Connell,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], has been informed of her grandson's good news.
As a New Zealand schoolboys and under 20s representative, Harris played against many of the Wallabies he now calls squad-mates - including Quade Cooper,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Kurtley Beale,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Rob Simmons and Rob Horne.
With Reds teammate Cooper still in the early stages of his return from a serious knee operation and Beale and James O'Connor unavailable through injury, Harris has rocketed into contention to wear the No.10 or 12 jersey against Scotland.
Especially with coach Robbie Deans needing to weigh up saving Berrick Barnes for the first Test against Wales in Brisbane four days later.
Harris set a Super Rugby all-time record earlier this year when he booted 24 straight successful shots at goal - and he's presently on a new streak of 15 consecutive goals,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych].
Harris said he never viewed himself as Cooper's understudy at the Reds and since moving to Australia he set himself a goal of playing for the Wallabies,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych].
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