Coming home to “New Zealand, Aotearoa, where I’m from” was a magnet for experienced centre Morgan Harper when he was offered the opportunity to play for the One New Zealand Warriors.
The 26-year-old said his move back on a one-year deal “all happened in the space of a week, not even that.”
“I got a phone call from my manager, from Cappy (Andrew McFadden) and Webby (Andrew Webster) and had a face-to-face meeting with Webby,” said Harper.
“He gave me the rundown on what he wants and what he sees, where he wants the club to go and I want to be a part of that.
“It was an opportunity I couldn't turn down, the opportunity to come back to New Zealand, Aotearoa, where I'm from and reconnect with the culture and who I am. That's a part of this move and I feel like it's going to bring the best out in me.”
Harper has made a total of 64 NRL appearances for Canterbury Bankstown (2), Manly Warringah (54) and Parramatta (8) since 2019 as well as representing the Māori All Stars in 2022 and 2023.
He is already getting a taste of his new environment.
“I'm enjoying my time here, enjoying it heaps and looking forward to the rest of the year,” he said.
“You always want to play for the Warriors being from New Zealand but the way rugby league works you don’t know the future but I've always wanted to come back and being back is pretty neat, especially seeing all the cultures Pasifika and Māori being Māori myself.”
It brings an initial challenge with his wife and their young family separated for the time being.
“I sat down with my wife and let her know first and she was obviously excited for me but scared at the same time coming to a new country,” he said.
“I've got three young kids and I had to tell them I'me leaving them for a bit. That's been hard but they'll be out here soon enough.”
Match: Raiders v Warriors
Round 1 -
home Team
Raiders
4th Position
away Team
Warriors
14th Position
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Harper doesn’t want for familiar faces at the One New Zealand Warriors. He has played alongside a number of them in New Zealand age group teams and the Māori All Stars while Dylan Walker was a long-time teammate in their Manly days.
“First player that comes to mind here is probably Walks,” he said.
“I spent a few years with him back in the Manly days and he's actually taken me into his pad. I’ll stay there until I find myself a spot.
“He's definitely someone who has helped me out. He picked me up from the airport.
“I spent a bit of time with Dal, too. He's obviously from the Waikato as well.”
Harper said head coach Andrew Webster “just wants me to come in and work hard and learn how everything goes here.”
For his part Harper is intent on “putting my best foot forward” and added he’s happy to play centre or wing.
“I'm just keen to buy into everything that's going on around here and be a part of it.”
