It's early days ... but don't be surprised if Tohu Harris wins the Ngati Kahungunu Sportsperson of the Year award later this year.
The pride of Waipatu, Harris, 21, became an early favourite for the award with a dream debut for the Melbourne Storm premier rugby league side as they beat Leeds 18-14 in Saturday's World Club Challenge played in front of a sellout crowd of 20,400 at Headingley.
Secondrower Harris scored a crucial try which gave the Storm an 18-8 lead in the 47th minute, made nine hit ups, and was involved in 27 tackles before taking a rest in the 71st minute.
In an email home to his mother Dale in Hastings Harris described the match as "a shock to the system during the first 10 minutes."
"It was lightning-quick but a good experience. I had some butterflies an hour before the game but it was good when we ran out for the warmup."