Corey Harawira-Naera celebrates a try on NRL debut against the Newcastle Knights. Photo/Getty Images
Corey Harawira-Naera celebrates a try on NRL debut against the Newcastle Knights. Photo/Getty Images
Corey Harawira-Naera and James Fisher-Harris had a bit of a culture shock when arriving in Penrith to play for the Panthers in the NRL.
Harawira-Naera, speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, said the Far North forwards' accents proved to be a bit of a barrier at first.
"It was abig change for me and 'Fish'," NRL rookie Harawira-Naera told the Sydney Morning Herald. "It was more the language and people didn't really understand how we talked so that was pretty hard. You wouldn't believe it, but that was [an issue].
"I get flak when I go back home and all my cousins are on to me about [my accent]. I've got to drop deeper.
"[Fisher-Harris] just mumbled and everyone was looking at me to try to translate what he was saying. He's all right now, but he's still probably a bit fresher than I am."
The two players couldn't be more different. Harawira-Naera is the outgoing eccentric, adding a touch of twerking to his try celebrations, while Fisher-Harris is a shy worker.
Fisher-Harris' bone-rattling hits have culminated in a Kiwis berth, but Harawira-Naera's story has been one of a little more perseverance from his small home town of Waimamaku.
"There's not many people and everyone knew everyone," Harawira-Naera said.
"The school had about 100 kids from five all the way through to 17 to 18. We never had PlayStation and were always jumping in the river, jumping off the bridge, jumping out of trees, climbing trees."
The pair played with each other in junior rugby due to a lack of league in their area but they were picked up by the Panthers and sent across the Tasman.
Harawira-Naera's league dream was realised in round four against the Newcastle Knights, capping off a memorable day with a try.
The match was played in front of friends and family from New Zealand, including his mother who celebrated her birthday on that day.
