Nathan Harris (rugby union)

Nathan Harris

Full name	Nathan Harris
Date of birth	(1992-03-08) 8 March 1992
Place of birth	Tauranga, New Zealand
Height
Weight	106 kg (234 lb)
School	Tauranga Boys' College
Notable relative(s)	Perry Harris (grandfather)
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Hooker
New Zealand No.	1135
Provincial/State sides
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2012–	Bay of Plenty	26	(5)
correct as of 18 October 2015.
Super Rugby
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2014–	Chiefs	12	(0)
correct as of 21 July 2014.
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2012 2014–	New Zealand U20 New Zealand	5 2	(5) (5)
correct as of 3 November 2014.

Nathan Harris (born 8 March 1992) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a hooker for Bay of Plenty in the ITM Cup and the Chiefs in Super Rugby.

Career

Harris debuted for Bay of Plenty during the 2012 ITM Cup, however he only made a solitary appearance during that campaign and it wasn't until the following year that he established himself as the Steamers' number one hooker. Despite a disappointing season for his side in 2013, Harris' individual performances were impressive. Initially, he was not named in any of New Zealand's five Super Rugby franchises squads for the 2014 Super Rugby season. But, the defending champion Chiefs, who had selected Hikawera Elliot, Mahonri Schwalger and Rhys Marshall as their hookers were struck with a selection crisis as Elliot and Schwalger went down with injuries prior to the start of the season. This opened the door for Harris to join the Hamilton based outfit on a short-term contract. He made his super rugby debut in week 1 of the season as the Chiefs defeated the Crusaders in Christchurch.

International career

Harris was a member of the New Zealand Under 20 side which finished as runners-up in the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa. Ironically, Harris was first-choice hooker during the competition with his back up being future Chiefs team-mate Rhys Marshall, who he would later play back-up to.