Rugby: Worst of times, now better times

Nathan Harris is set to be back in Bay of Plenty colours this month.

It is eight months since Nathan Harris endured the best and worst moments of his rugby career in the same match.

Three minutes into his starting debut for the All Blacks against USA in Chicago on November 2, Harris stormed over to score a try in the corner with the emotion of singing the national anthem still buzzing through him.

Then three minutes later, the 23-year-old hooker from Te Puke suffered a freak ankle injury that was more serious than first thought.

It ended his tour with the All Blacks and has taken longer to heal than anticipated. Harris has every reason to feel cheated with his Rugby World Cup dreams dashed for this year.

But that is not how he looks at life's ups and downs.

He is just pleased to be able to play again and is well aware of how much worse off so many other people are.

"I use that to pump me up a little bit and help to motivate me. It was bad luck and it was a freak accident but I am grateful in realising that I am coming back stronger," Harris said.

"I remember when I was in my moon boot I was pretty grateful to be walking. Then little progressions day-to-day that were personal achievements for myself were rewarding."

Harris was set to return playing with the Chiefs in the latter stage of the Super Rugby campaign until he suffered another setback with an unexpected blocked vein in his big toe.

Now he expects to finally get his boots back on for Bay of Plenty in the pre-season game against Auckland at Whakatane on July 31.

His recovery is good news for the Steamers as he may well play the whole ITM Cup season.

The 110kg powerhouse will be a huge asset to a squad that includes Maori All Blacks hooker Joe Royal.

"I'm really looking forward to playing for Bay of Plenty and I always am happy to play for my home province.

"I love putting that blue and gold jumper on. I went to training last week just to catch up with the boys and do a bit of defence stuff with them.

"Hopefully I will get to play in the jersey soon."

Harris was part of the Chiefs' group throughout his rehabilitation and is positive about how the season unfolded, despite missing the finals. "I thought the boys performed well with quite a young team but like last year fell at the last hurdle." It was something they would need to work on, he said.