Rugby: Former coach puzzled

Tohu Harris says he has moved on from last year's incident when he was dropped from the Kiwis' World Cup squad to make way for Sonny Bill Williams.

Could Hawke's Bay's Tohu Harris be an international rugby league victim yet again?

"If he's going to be used as a standoff I would have to say yes. The old Aussies will be clapping their hands."

This was how Harris' former Tamatea premier rugby league coach Adrian Rowlands reacted when he heard Melbourne Storm secondrower Harris could play in the No6 jersey for the Kiwis in Friday night's Anzac test against the Kangaroos in Sydney.

"I'd be comfortable with Tohu playing in the centres if Kearney [Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney] was short of quality backs but not standoff. If I was Kearney I would be starting Tohu in the secondrow ... he's been a workaholic for the Storm there all season. He's an engine," Rowlands said.

Rowlands coached Harris, 22, during the 2008 and 2009 seasons before he joined the Storm as an under-20s grade player.

"We played him in the centres regularly and occasionally at fullback but never at standoff."

Harris' father, Paul, who will travel to the test with other family members from Hastings, said last night he had yet to hear from his son about the role he will be playing.

"We're picking he will be the 18th man but could get promoted to the 17th man and get game time like he did in last year's Anzac test."

Harris snr added he would be a little worried if his son had to produce some chip kicks and other tactical kicks.

"But I'm sure he will learn to cope if that's the position he will be given. As long as the Kiwis improve on their 34-2 loss in last year's World Cup final I'll be happy."