Sharks utility prop Robbie “Trouble” Harris has left Durban to join English Division One side Nottingham.
The 26-year-old Harris, who can play comfortably on either side on the scrum, represented the Natal Under 21 side in 2002, but had to wait four years before making his senior provincial debut in the 2006 Currie Cup. Harris enjoyed a reasonably successful opening outing against Western Province that year, before coming nastily unstuck against the Bulls at Kings Park, when he was called in at the eleventh hour to replace BJ Botha. As you may recall, the Sharks conceded 50 points that day and the Sharks scrum, with Harris at tighthead, went backwards all day.
The Durban lad is a fighter, though and worked his way back into contention with some strong performances at Vodacom Cup level. After the injury to Pat Cilliers in last year’s Currie Cup, Harris emerged as a stalwart of the front row, ably deputising at tighthead prop while Botha was at the World Cup. Harris played in virtually every Vodacom Cup game this season and again provided good early-season cover in the Currie Cup while Cilliers, Deon Carstens, Beast Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis were out of contention.
Robbie has recently slipped back in the pecking order, with the exciting Melusi Mtetwa emerging as the “fifth prop” in the setup, which presumably has a fair amount to do with his decision to seek greener pastures. Harris accumulated 16 senior caps for the Sharks.
He joined Nottingham last month and has already run out for his new club a few times. In a recent interview with the BBC, Harris admitted that he was taking a bit of time to adjust to the English weather: “The weather’s completely different! I’m used to a good 38 degrees, sunshine, beach – now I come here, and apparently this is your summer. It’s just a change, something to get used to. It seems to be nice, I’ve just got to adapt, that’s all.
“The playing conditions are a lot more suited for me I think, and its a lot slower a game than back home so I think it’s a lot nicer.”
Sharksworld wishes Robbie all the best for his new adventure!
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All the best Mr Harris…
I thought this article was about Rob moving to the North of London or something… 🙄
@just blackshark (Comment 1) :
Yeah the ‘Trouble’ part in the first sentence had me thinking the same thing.
@just blackshark (Comment 1) : Tee hee 🙂
@just blackshark (Comment 1) :
where the hell is everyone today?
@robdylan (Comment 5) :
Good question, Rob… 🙁
@robdylan (Comment 5) : @I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 6) : Working 😥
@just blackshark (Comment 7) : The 1st of the month is a %$%^& 👿
@just blackshark (Comment 8) :
Its called M*U*L*T*I*T*A*S*K*I*N*G… 🙄 😉
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 9) : I’m trying…
@just blackshark (Comment 10) :
As we always say….just give it your best shot! 😉
Getting killed at work 👿
@PJLD (Comment 12) : never good
Nice…
Full Name Melusi Norwel
Surname Mthethwa
Height 179cm
Weight 109kg
Birth Date 22 August 1986
Birth City Durban
Marital Status Single
Favourite Film 300
Favourite Music R&B
Favourite Food Pasta
Primary School Sunfort Primary
Secondary School Durban High
Tertiary Education Sharks Academy
Too small
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 15) : go compare him to harris… he’s 1 cm shorter and 7kg lighter… he’s also 5 years younger and will put on the necessary weight.
Harris IMLO (what little I’ve seen of him) is average at best… far too ltd… I’ve used Beast, BJ, JDP, Deon as comparison… 😉
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 17) : yeah, that’ fair 🙂