by Bonnie Hancock
Kenny Harris may be a quiet achiever, but his rapid ascent from reserve grade Colts to the Junior Wallabies has stirred up plenty of noise.
Just twelve months ago the unassuming lock was working on building his now-trademark high tackle count and strong set-piece skills with Bond's Colts 2 squad.
When coaches could no longer ignore his indisputable talent, Harris was promoted to Colts 1.
That put him on the radar of Queensland Reds selectors who liked what they saw.
In a blink, Harris was named in the Queensland under 19s.
But his biggest breakthrough came in March when he was picked alongside prop and fellow Bull Shark Jonah Rangiwai as part of Chris Whittaker’s 31-man Junior Wallabies side to take on the best young players in the world at the Under 20 Rugby Championships in South Africa.
Bond University General Manager of Rugby Sean Hedger says Harris is a workhorse who possesses all of the key characteristics needed to succeed in the highly competitive world of representative rugby.
“The bottom line is it’s taken a truckload of hard work to do what Kenny has done," Hedger said.
"His exceptional work ethic is his main trait.”
“But there are other characteristics that would have been noticed by selectors – he is a very good leader and team man – like the glue player in the team.”
A self-made talent, rather than the product of traditional schoolboy pathways, Harris was born and bred on the Gold Coast and played for the Gold Coast Eagles alongside Colts 1 teammate, prop Kingsley Uys.
Hedger says the opportunity for Harris to travel, train and play in a national side is invaluable.
“Every player in the group will be learning what it’s like to live as a professional footballer,” he said.
“Learning how to look after your body and play every four days is very different to club rugby life – it’s like doing an apprenticeship to be a professional rugby player.
Harris and Rangiwai were brought on as substitutes late in the Junior Wallabies’ clash against New Zealand in the opening round at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Monday.
Australia’s healthy half-time lead was hunted down by the resilient Junior All Blacks, who prevailed 34-29.
Round two will see Harris and his teammates face South Africa on their home turf on May 3rd, with the concluding match against Argentina to be held on May 9th.