Mike Harris on why he’s leaving Queensland Reds to join Melbourne Rebels

REDS utility back Mike Harris has defected with the Melbourne Rebels and admitted it was a tough call to split from the side which gave him his big break.

Reds Mike Harris scores. The Queensland Reds vs the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis

QUEENSLAND Reds utility back Mike Harris has defected, with the Melbourne Rebels tempting him into a two-year deal to play as a flyhalf-inside centre in their improving program.

Harris, 25, admitted it was a tough call to split from the Queensland side which gave him his big break in 2011 after he was unwanted by Kiwi Super Rugby sides.

“The Rebels showed a lot of interest and keeping it fresh with a new team in a new city appeals to me. I’m off-contract so sometimes it’s just timing,” the 10-Test Wallaby said.

“There was interest as well from the Reds so you do go back and forth in your head to reach a hard decision.

“I’ve put heart and soul into the Reds and enjoyed all the support in Queensland so it will be sad to leave.”

The Rebels urgently need more playmaking clout around young flyhalf Bryce Hegarty, 21, and put more bells-and-whistles to their offer. The chance of a more prominent role in Melbourne clearly weighed into the Harris decision with Quade Cooper, Ben Tapuai, Ben Lucas and Anthony Faingaa also in the No. 10-No. 12 mix at the Reds.

Mike Harris will leave the Reds at the end of the season.

Harris said the Reds’ dire run of six straight losses did not weigh into his decision but he would not be human if it didn’t.

“Teams go through good and bad but that doesn’t change the quality at the Reds. We’ll be working as hard as we can to get good results from our final four games,” Harris said.

“Our defence has let us down. The answer is within the team and we have to fight our way out of this.”

Rebels’ rugby operations manager Baden Stephenson said. “We’ve been looking for more experience and leadership amongst our young backline, and Mike certainly brings that to the table.

“As we continue to build a first class rugby program here in Melbourne, it is terrific to secure the signing of an international player who has tasted a great deal of success, both for the Wallabies and also with the Reds where he won the 2011 Super Rugby title.”

Originally published as Mike Harris on why he’s leaving Queensland Reds to join Melbourne Rebels