Harris was a formidable presence for Wales as they put Australia to the sword last Wednesday in the first round of World Rugby U20 Championship matches in France. “One hundred per cent, that was one of the best games I’ve played in,” he says. “We needed that first win to build up to today’s game against New Zealand. The boys are really excited to put on a show.”
Playing against southern hemisphere opposition is rare for the Home Nations, and Harris is relishing taking on the world number one side this afternoon. “I like a good challenge. We’re expecting them to bring what they’re known for: fast, exciting rugby. They like to play, but so do we. We need to nullify their threats and show what we can offer.”
His season with Pontypridd had stuttered slightly due to injuries, but the 19-year-old from the Rhondda has made up for lost time in international colours. By the end of today, he will have started six of Wales’ last seven matches.
“I did struggle with injuries at Ponty, but I’m completely over them now,” says Harries. “I really enjoy playing up there. They draw a big crowd at Sardis Road week in, week out.”
Geraint Lewis, Wales U20 head coach and a Ponty legend, describes Harris as a consistent performer. “Iestyn’s good at the set-piece, and very strong with or without the ball. He had a spell out with injuries, but he’s found that consistency now. With Dewi Lake also impressing at hooker, we’re fortunate to have the two of them pushing each other on.”
Harris’s rugby life started just a few miles away from Sardis Road, at the Home of the Ducks, aka Wattstown. “It’s where boys like Keiron Assiratti and Cameron Lewis came from,” he says of his Blues teammates, both former U20 players. “Wattstown is a really great, well-supported club. It gave me a strong grounding in the game.”
As one of the Blues’ ‘Tracked Players’ – along with other U20 boys such as Ben Thomas, Alun Lawrence, and Max Llewelyn – Harris trains with the region at their Vale HQ four days a week. On top of that, he is with Pontypridd on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The U20 Six Nations this year saw a lot of chopping and changing, but Wales have made only one for today’s match. “The Six Nations held us in good stead for this Championship with lots of players getting a chance to prove themselves, and we’ve improved a lot since then. Just watching training and games back, we can see how we’re getting closer as a group because it’s reflected on the pitch.”
Wales are under no illusions about what they will encounter at the Stade de la Méditerranée today. “We’re hoping for another step up in intensity today. Our defence against Australia was very solid, as were other aspects of the game, so if we can build on that today we’ll give a good account of ourselves.”
Coverage of Wales U20 v New Zealand U20 will be shown live on S4C (TV and online) from 15:15 BST.
