Eddie Jones is eyeing up a talented Māori rugby prospect for the England side this year. This is a great opportunity for Teimana Harrison from Mataatua to represent his new home at the top level.
Rotorua High School principal Chris Grinter says, “Yes we're really excited that Teimana may come through to be our second English Rugby players.”
New England coach Eddie Jones has declared that Teimana Harrison is being considered for national selection after moving north four years ago.
“We've got some great, great players here. A lot of internationals that should be in the teams. Some of them unlucky not to be in there,” says Teimana Harrison from Te Whakatōhea.
Harrison played an integral part in the Rotorua Boys' High School First XV. His former coaches aren't surprised that he's being considered by national selectors.
“I would be thrilled and over the moon for Teimana and his family if he does come through,” says Grinter.
Harrison was convicted for his part in a jet-skiing accident on Lake Okareka in 2011, in which one of his friends died.
Grinter says it was a hard time for everyone involved, “Three very good friends, were out having fun on Lake Okareka and the worse you could imagine happened and so it was a tough time for the families, the boys, and the school.”
Since then, he's gone from strength to strength with the Northampton Saints. He's taken away the award for the most valuable player in the AVIVA Premiership, as voted by the public.
“They're the people that watch the game, they're the people that support us you know and for them to vote that I'm stoked, over the moon,” says Harrison.
And now the chance has come for another Rotorua Boys High School product who has been contracted to Northampton.
“Now with Dylan Hartley and big brother at Northampton, the opportunity for Tiakitoa to go there as well has happened,” says Grinter.
Next month, the England side will be named for their tour to Australia in June.