‘I don’t think there’s anyone better to lead that team’: James Fisher-Harris tipped to captain Kiwis after lengthy leadership journey

James Fisher-Harris is a man of few words, but his actions speak volumes and it’s why Ivan Cleary is backing his star prop to lead the Kiwis.

James Fisher-Harris is set to captain New Zealand at next month’s Pacific Championships. Picture: Tim Hunter

The thought of seeing Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris captain a team three years ago may have raised a few eyebrows, but Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is confident the big man has what it takes to lead New Zealand next month.

The powerful front-rower has emerged as the leading contender to captain the Kiwis at the Pacific Championships, with Fisher-Harris tipped to beat out veterans like Shaun Johnson, Jesse Bromwich and others for the role.

The 27-year-old is a man of few words and generally lets his footy do the talking, but he’s been part of Penrith’s leadership group for three years and his coach has seen him develop skills that eluded him when he first started out.

That included a round 13 loss to the Wests Tigers in 2021 when Fisher-Harris skippered the side with the State of Origin players missing.

James Fisher-Harris has developed into a real leader at Penrith two years after he struggled in the role. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“He’s really worked out what leadership was for him,” Cleary said following Penrith’s big win over Melbourne in the preliminary final.

“He did it during Origin in 2021 but he wasn’t as effective as he could have been.

“I think he let it affect his own game and he was trying to cover for other people, but I think that game was actually really good for him.

“The last couple of years when the Origin guys have been out, he’s been amazing.

“I’m not surprised he’s been mentioned for the role, but it has definitely been a journey.

“He was obviously pretty quiet before that (Tigers game) and not the big speech guy, and I think he was pretty conscious of that, so it held him back.

“But then he worked out that he can still lead in his own style, and once he got that he was a lot more comfortable.

“I remember he captained the Maori side earlier this year, so I think he’ll do an amazing job.”

Fisher-Harris is tipped to captain New Zealand at next month’s Pacific Championships. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images for RLWC

New Zealand will take on Samoa in Auckland on October 21, and Fisher-Harris will likely come up against a stack of his Panthers teammates.

Jarome Luai could be one of them if he doesn’t require off-season shoulder surgery, and the star five-eighth says “there’s no one better” than Fisher-Harris to captain New Zealand.

“Fish is the kind of guy who leads by his actions,” Luai said.

“He knows what works for him as a leader, and this past year or two I’ve seen him really develop as a leader with his voice and his understanding of the role.

“I don’t think there’s anyone better to lead that team.”