Rugby: Hooker Harris thrown into NZ squad

THE RAKE'S PROGRESS: Nathan Harris' road to the national squad has gone via Tauranga Boys' College, Te Puke Sports Pirates, Bay of Plenty Steamers, the New Zealand Under20s and the Chiefs.

He has been a Titan, a Pirate, a Steamer, a New Zealand Under-20 and a Chief, and now Nathan Harris is a step closer to another title: All Black.

The 22-year-old, who was not even in the full Chiefs squad at the start of the season, was yesterday announced in the 35-strong All Blacks training squad before the three-test home series against England.

The hooker, who transferred to the front row from the blindside or back of the Tauranga Boys' College First XV scrum due to the arrival of Sam Cane and Carl Axtens in his final year of school, was stunned to get the news after Friday night's match against the Blues in New Plymouth.

"I haven't really had much game time so I was pretty surprised I got the call-up," Harris said. "I've only had two starts and 40-odd minutes so I'm not too sure - they must have liked me somehow.

"After the game I was pretty shell-shocked, to be honest. I had to sit down for a wee bit and all the boys got back on the bus and my father was waiting outside for me.

"I said 'Dad, I think ... I've been named in the All Blacks squad', and he was pretty shocked. Obviously it was pretty exciting ... I'm looking forward to this awesome opportunity."

Harris told a few close family members after the match, and some apparently found it too difficult to keep the news under their hats.

He planned on attending Te Puke Sports training tonight and paid tribute to fellow Pirate Tanerau Latimer, whose path he hoped to follow all the way to an All Blacks jersey.

"I really looked up to him when I was younger ...

"He had a good crack at the All Blacks and is a key figure in the Steamers and the Chiefs ... a guy like that is a pretty good role model for myself, being from the same town."

He said Tauranga Sports, Steamers and Highlanders prop Kane Hames' rapid rise showed pathways to the highest levels still existed for players outside the major provinces.

"There is quite a lot of undercover talent in the smaller regions."

Harris, who was behind Hika Elliot, Mo Schwalger and Rhys Marshall in the Chiefs' pecking order less than three months ago, vowed to keep his head down when the All Blacks' camp begins in Christchurch on Sunday.