Melbourne Rebels recruit Mike Harris relishing fresh challenge after joining from Queensland Reds

MIKE Harris embraces change in the way most athletes crave permanency and is relishing his fresh challenge at the Melbourne Rebels.

Mike Harris, has just joined the Melbourne Rebels on a two-year deal.

MIKE Harris embraces change in the way most athletes crave permanency.

Unafraid to risk stability in exchange for success in unfamiliar environs, Harris left New Zealand four years ago to chase international honours with Australia.

Eligible to represent the Wallabies through his Australian-born grandmother, Harris duly succeeded and has so far won 10 Test caps.

Settled at Super Rugby powerhouse Queensland, Harris in May decided to switch to the Melbourne Rebels for the next two seasons.

Mike Harris has just joined the Melbourne Rebels on a two-year deal.

The rationale was simple — Harris relishes fresh challenges.

“Leaving anywhere is tough,” he said.

“Leaving New Zealand (in 2010) was tough but for me that was a really positive change in my career.

“It was one of the best moves I ever made but one of my goals was to wear that gold jersey and I was able to do that.

“I don’t want to sound overconfident or anything like that but I sort of felt there was something brewing down here, something special.

Mike Harris has joined the Melbourne Rebels from the Queensland Reds.

“We don’t expect it to just happen, we’re a long way from that (success) and there’s a lot of hard work to be done.

“My focus at the moment is my Melbourne Rebels’ teammates, hopefully gaining their respect and trying to do special things next.”

Harris, 26, endured a gruelling pre-season session with his new teammates at Visy Park yesterday as the Rebels began preparations for their fifth season.

One of the deadliest kicks in international rugby — he holds the Super Rugby record for the most consecutive goals (24 penalties and conversions) — Harris brings experience and guile to the young Rebels.

“It’s probably a younger group than I’m used to but it’s a young but hungry group,” he said.

Mike Harris is hoping to add to his 10 Test caps.

“I definitely saw some positive steps from afar last year, playing against them. They had a lot of tight losses.”

Lured to Melbourne by the chance to contribute to an ambitious club, Harris is close to both club captain Scott Higginbotham and coach Tony McGahan.

“I was looking for something new and Melbourne offered everything that I was looking forward to in having a fresh start, in being part of something exciting,” he said.

“The general feel around the environment is very positive.”

Melbourne plays the Crusaders in the first game of the 2015 season on February 13 in Christchurch before returning to face reigning champion NSW at AAMI Park.

Originally published as Melbourne Rebels recruit Mike Harris relishing fresh challenge after joining from Queensland Reds