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James Fisher-Harris has emerged as the leading contender to be named new Kiwis captain, but must first survive a battle with a hulking New Zealand teammate intent on causing \u201cchaos\u201d in Friday\u2019s preliminary final.<\/p>\n
Kiwis coach Michael Maguire is on the lookout for a new leader after long-time skipper Jesse Bromwich opted to retire from the international game after 33 Tests. While there are several experienced candidates to choose from \u2013 including Joseph Tapine, Jahrome Hughes, Shaun Johnson, Keiran Foran and Moses Leota \u2013 the honour is likely to go to Fisher-Harris.<\/p>\n
The Penrith prop, who has already filled in as New Zealand captain on one occasion, said he would be proud to be considered for the role on a full-time basis.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would mean a lot,\u201d Fisher-Harris told this masthead. \u201cI got to captain one game last year versus Jamaica and it was pretty special for me and my family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would definitely put my hand up. I\u2019m not the perfect speaker or anything like that, but if the team needs me to be captain, I\u2019ll do it. I\u2019ve got to back myself and lead the way I do. I think [leading through actions rather than words] is my strength.<\/p>\n
\u201cKiwis is very special to me, to be honest. I haven\u2019t had much opportunity to play due to injuries and Covid and stuff like that. I\u2019ll take it with both hands and do what I can to put the jersey in a better place.\u201d<\/p>\n
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James Fisher-Harris is widely regarded as one of the best props in the game.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Janie Barrett\/SMH<\/cite><\/p>\n First, Fisher-Harris will lead a formidable Penrith forward pack against a Melbourne side containing Kiwis teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona. In an interview during the week, Asofa-Solomona said he had taken lessons about professionalism from Penrith props Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota during their time together in Kiwis camp.<\/p>\n In the same breath, the two-metre enforcer promised to \u201ccause chaos\u201d in an anticipated finals clash between the forward packs.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has been doing that all year,\u201d Fisher Harris said. \u201cThat\u2019s who he is, he\u2019s a big boy, too. It\u2019s like anything when you cross that line, they are not your friends anymore. It\u2019s just a bit of respect to the game, I guess. You have to respect the game and play a certain way and then everyone is all good off the field.\u201d<\/p>\n Asofa-Solomona will make himself available for Test duty after participating in the \u201cBattle on the Reef\u201d, a footy fight night which includes his bout against Dolphins prop Jarrod Wallace. The October 7 event, which also features Junior Paulo, Jason Taumalolo and Regan Campbell-Gillard in Townsville, is available to watch and order on Stan Sport.<\/p>\n \u201cI would definitely put my hand up. I\u2019m not the perfect speaker or anything like that, but if the team needs me to be captain, I\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a big boy, I wouldn\u2019t want to stand in front of that,\u201d Leota said of Asofa-Solomona. \u201cHe\u2019s looking good, good luck [to his opponent].\u201d<\/p>\n Leota said Fisher-Harris was an inspiration to play alongside.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s great, he gives all of us confidence to go out there and play our game,\u201d he said. \u201cYou always know he is going to go out there and give it 100 per cent. To play alongside him is one of the best feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n