"We're awfully proud of him - he's a local boy who stayed in the district and done his stuff here," he began.
"I think everyone in the Bay will be proud of him."
He was not surprised at how quickly the former flanker had risen through the hooking ranks.
"Not really, when you look at the hookers around I'm not that surprised, to be honest. There's definitely an opening there for him if he wants to take it. He can grab a hold on that spot, I'd say.
"At the end of the day it's only one coach's opinion, as Eric Rush always says, and opportunities don't come very often and I wish him all the best ... I'm immensely proud of the boy."
Harris has had limited game time of late, meaning the largest changes to his form are not evident until you catch him in person.
"What I have noticed is his body shape. He's just got an aura about what he's doing now and understands he has an opportunity in front of him and with that comes a responsibility to do the jersey proud. I think he understands the importance of that. I think he'll go well.
"I met him at Bayfair a couple of weeks ago and it would be fair to say he couldn't fit any more sushi on his plate and he was going to Subway afterwards. The boy can eat."
Other talking points in the squad include Ryan Crotty's return from a broken jaw for the South African leg and the omission of locks Dominic Bird and Patrick Tuipulotu and first-five Dan Carter. They will have a graduated return with their ITM Cup teams in coming weeks.
All Blacks squad for tour of Argentina and South Africa
Hookers: Dane Coles, Nathan Harris and Keven Mealamu.
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks and Joe Moody.
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush and Sam Whitelock.
Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Richie McCaw, Liam Messam and Kieran Read.
Halfbacks: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara and Aaron Smith.
First five-eighths: Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade.
Midfielders: Ryan Crotty (SA leg only), Conrad Smith and Malakai Fekitoa.
Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea and Ben Smith.