Rugby: Hooker Harris in sight of test debut

Nathan Harris, in action here for Te Puke Sports in 2012, is likely to make his test debut at Ellis Park against the Springboks. Photo / File

Nathan Harris has moved one step closer to making his All Blacks debut with the announcement of the 30-man squad for tests in South Africa and Argentina.

The former Tauranga Boys' College Titan and Te Puke Pirate and Bay of Plenty Steamer will be on the plane when it flies out on Saturday to prepare for the test against Argentina at Estadio Ciudad, La Plata, on September 27, but will probably have his sights set on the test against the Springboks in Johannesburg on October 4.

Harris is the third hooker in the squad behind Dane Coles and Keven Mealamu.

Coles will return to New Zealand after the Argentina test for the pending birth of his first child. Mealamu has had calf problems for years and is no longer likely to last 80 minutes in a top-class test.

Te Puke Sports coach Craig Jeffries said hearing the news about Harris was a big moment for the club.

"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.