England captain Dylan Hartley 'proud' of Teimana Harrison's rise to the top
Saturday 28 May 2016 16:28, UK
England captain Dylan Hartley has spoken of his pride at seeing Northampton team-mate Teimana Harrison named in England’s starting line-up against Wales on Sunday.
New Zealand-born debutant Harrison has been picked at blindside flanker in place of Chris Robshaw, who misses the Twickenham Test in order to attend his brother's wedding.
Harrison, who qualifies for England through his Nottingham-born father, came to England five years ago after being recommended to Hartley by a contact in New Zealand.
Hartley explained: "There's an old coach of mine called Gordon Hunt, who was coaching Rotorua Boys' High. He emailed me saying, 'I've got a young fella here; he's got an English passport and an English father, and he's got an interest in coming to England to play rugby. Come and watch him play; he's our captain and a good player.'
"I was over there at the time in 2011. It was post-World Cup, I think. So I went down to my old school, which was nice, to watch Tei play and introduced myself to him post match.
"Straight away, you could see the raw talent. Immediately, I thought there is no kid better than him in our academy, so I said to Northampton 'you have got to get this kid'. Dusty Hare lined it up and got him over.
"I knew he would play for Northampton, but I never predicted he would play for England. That's down to his character. I think it's a hell of a story and I'm really proud of him."
Harrison has enjoyed a fantastic season at Franklin's Gardens, with his physical playing style prompting England coach Eddie Jones to liken him to a "streetfighter".
Hartley admits the 23-year-old was homesick when he first arrived in England but is proud of the way he battled through adversity to make a name for himself.
Hartley said: "He had a few things in his personal life. He was homesick he was only a young guy at the time. Myself and [ex Northampton player] Paul Tupai got in his ear and said 'this is a good place to be stick at it'."
"He got his head down and did stick with it. He has had a few big decisions, a few dilemmas in his personal life for him to be here still that have been written about, like his mate passing.
"He hasn't had an easy ride. I am chuffed to bits for him that it has all come together this weekend."
