Getting subbed in first half hit me hard... it took time to bounce back
Rugby union has a mid-summer return date and Northampton co-captain Teimana Harrison wants the change of season made permanent. He also tells NEIL SQUIRES the trauma of a jet ski accident which killed his friend has helped him put sporting setbacks in perspective.
Q
AUGUST 15 HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AS THE RESTART DATE FOR THE GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP. THAT WILL BE FIVE MONTHS SINCE THE LEAGUE SHUT DOWN. HOW IS THAT GOING TO FEEL?
A
It will be cool to be back playing – I don’t know anyone in the Saints squad who doesn’t want to come back – but it will feel like a new season. This is the longest time we’ve ever had off.
Q
THE TIMELINE MEANS PLAYING SUMMER RUGBY AND THE RFU HAVE TALKED ABOUT MAKING THAT CHANGE PERMANENT AT PROFESSIONAL LEVEL. HOW WOULD THAT SIT?
A
That would be pretty awesome. I’d always hoped it would change to a summer sport. If you look across the Premiership the most exciting teams to watch are the ones that spread the ball and like to play wide and fast and summer rugby suits that. I hope we go to a summer sport. If you ask players which pitches they prefer most would say grass rather than 4G and summer rugby is the perfect time to play on grass. You eliminate the mud. I think it would benefit the league massively and the game.
Q
IT MIGHT NOT DO YOUR PROSPECTS OF AN ENGLAND RECALL ANY HARM EITHER WITH THE WAY YOU AND NORTHAMPTON PLAY?
A
I’ll have international ambitions until the day I retire. It’s the pinnacle to put your country’s colours on and run out at Twickenham. It’s still a great driving force for me. I thought I was putting my best foot forward when the season was interrupted but I’m not at my best yet. My best rugby is hopefully to come when I’m back in the England squad.
Q
YOU WENT THROUGH AN HORRENDOUS ORDEAL AS A TEENAGER BACK IN NEW ZEALAND WITH THE JET SKI ACCIDENT IN WHICH A CLOSE FRIEND WAS KILLED. WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE SOMETHING LIKE THAT HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOUR VIEW ON RUGBY?
A
A lot of players can think: ‘That’s me done’ when bad things happen in their career. It’s not really. When you put things in perspective you’re still fit, still healthy and you’re still here. Throughout my whole career what happened has made me think: ‘It could be a lot worse, couldn’t it?’
Q
LIKE WHEN EDDIE JONES SUBSTITUTED YOU BEFORE HALF-TIME AGAINST AUSTRALIA ON THE 2016 TOUR?
A
That was quite a big deal and one of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with in my rugby career so it did take a little time to bounce back. I had a bit of a quieter season the season after. Eddie said: ‘Sorry mate, I really didn’t want to do it’ but I just didn’t suit that particular game. I’ve played another three Tests since which I guess shows some resilience.
Q
YOU’VE JUST LAUNCHED YOUR OWN CLOTHES BRAND, WOLFE. WHAT’S THE LOOK?
A
It’s ‘discreet rugby’. A lot of our designs will be based around rugby but trying not to scream rugby in your face. Hopefully I’ve got four or five years left in me – or maybe six or seven with this break – but I am trying to be proactive thinking about the future. It has been a massive project for me for the past five or six months trying to get everything perfect and ready to go. It has definitely been an eye opener for me and my partner but it’s very exciting.
Q
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO CALL IT WOLFE?
A
It’s named after my one-year-old son. One of the good things about this period is that I’ve been around to see him take his first steps. It makes you realise how much you miss out on normally as a rugby player.