The Storm and the Dragons, the team Harris played against in his NRL debut two years ago (maybe the 30-10 win on that occasion will prove a lucky omen in July) are both among the top four teams in the competition after 10 rounds. There's a strong chance they will still be there when they arrive in Napier.
"Hopefully that's the case and the game will be even bigger," the former Tamatea premier union and league player said before joining his former clubmates and family members for a pot-luck tea at the club's Waipatu Marae base last night.
Ngati Kahungunu's 2010 Junior Sportsman of the Year, Harris is thrilled with how the Storm have been performing.
"Effort is the priority for us ... we don't look at results. We know if we put in the best effort we will be competitive and the results will take care of themselves. It's all about the processes."
When it was put to him he had to be equally as happy about his own form Harris, who was dropped from the 2013 World Cup team a day after it was selected to make way for Sonny Bill Williams after a controversial change of mind, replied: "I'm lucky to have started every game to date. Hopefully I can hold that spot until the Napier game."
He ranked this month's Kiwis win in Brisbane, a test in which he played all 80 minutes in, "up there" with his career highlights.
"To be part of a Kiwi team to make history by beating the Kangaroos three times in a row was humbling."
Harris pointed out that although the Kiwis are young they boast a lot of experience which has to be beneficial for the future.
"Hopefully we can continue to play like this. I'm sure if we keep the core of the team together for a long time we will."
Three appears to be Harris' lucky number. Last year he re-signed with the Storm for a further three years.
"I really wanted to stay in Melbourne. It's Natalie [Harris' wife] and my home and Natalie's family are also there. It's a great city and a great team ..."
This morning Harris will watch his nephews play for Tamatea in junior club rugby fixtures and this afternoon he will watch his old Tamatea rugby team take on Napier Old Boys Marist at Park Island. Tamatea will be gunning for their first win in 35 outings.
"Naturally I want my old club team to be successful. Speaking to Tane [Tamatea coach Tane Cooper] I know they are striving to be better and they are focusing on the processes."
Harris said if Cooper wanted him to have a chat to the team he would. Unlike the days when he was in the Storm under-20s he is unable to play for Tamatea during visits home now he is an NRL premier player.
Had he been able to the smart tipsters would have been confident putting a dollar or two on Tamatea against the injury-hit NOBM side. Harris was always influential for Tamatea, just as former All Black Hika Elliot was the day Tamatea posted their last win, a 46-17 victory against Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports in the first round of the 2013 Maddison Trophy.
Harris will return to Melbourne tomorrow to prepare for a Storm two-day camp. After seven games across the Tasman he will be back in the Bay ... his next rugby league high awaits.
