Young gun for hire

WHILE most clubs bend over backwards to hold on to their best players, Pirates president Pat Makiri is doing his utmost to help top players leave the club.
Makiri has posted clips of Pirates player of the year and Poverty Bay halfback Daniel Harris on YouTube.
Harris is hoping to pick up a professional contract overseas, with Ireland the top of his list.
“I’ve got feelers out in Ireland,” he said. “The problem is they have started their rugby season and most of the clubs have already filled their overseas player quota.
“But even if I don’t get a contract in Ireland I will be going to Australia. I want to travel and hopefully get paid to play.
“Pat (a freelance cameraman) and I, with help from Ben O’Brien-Leaf (rugby commentator), worked hard on getting a clip on YouYube.
“It’s a way for clubs to see me play rather than take people’s word for my ability. It also shows other players that the club are keen to help them develop.”
The 6 ½-minute clip is a highlight package showcasing the all-round skills of Harris from his passing to his kicking to his lightning acceleration. But possibly the most impressive feature is his tenacious and technically excellent defence. The clip has had over 170 hits. Makiri said the club would love to keep all of its Poverty Bay premier club competition-winning team “but Harry is an exceptionally talented young footballer who deserves the chance to have a crack at playing overseas. This is our way of helping him fulfil his potential.
“Our view at the club is we are not just about rugby and winning. We want to help develop rugby players and role models who may one day come back to Gisborne and pass on what they have learned.
Rua Tipoki was the ultimate example. He returned to the region after a professional career in Ireland. He played for Pirates and was player-assistant coach with Heartland Championship runners-up Ngati Porou East Coast.
“Rua would be the first to admit the success of Pirates and the Coast is not all down to him, but his influence on and off the field has been unbelievable.
“We have a great coach at Pirates (Henry Maxwell) and great players and Rua’s return attracted players to the club.
“No one could have dreamed the Coast would go from the bottom of the pile (in 2010) to a Meads Cup final in one season.”
“Karl Gemmell-Clarke (Pirates and Bay No. 8) is another good example of a player coming back. KG played in Ireland and has been one of Poverty Bay’s most consistent players in the past two seasons.”
Apart from Harris and possibly a few other young players, Makiri said the club were confident of retaining the majority of last season’s squad.
“Carl Riini is definitely off to university in Wellington and Juston Allen has hinted he might be heading to Rotorua, but if they leave it opens the door for others.
“With Henry Maxwell confirmed as coach for next season and senior players like Duane Hihi, Brent Ingram, Tom Miki and Willie Waitoa carrying on, the goal is to go out and win the premiership again.
“Everyone will be out to knock us off our perch but that’s a challenge we are looking forward to. We don’t want to be one-year wonders.
“Rua will be involved with the club but more in a mentoring role. He has a lot of commitments outside rugby but has indicated he will help out wherever and whenever possible.”