A promising former Howick College athlete and current Pakuranga United Rugby Club player, Riley Harrison was honoured recently with his selection as co-captain of the NZ U20 Mixed Touch team.
The team represented New Zealand at the inaugural Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup which was held is Brisbane last month.
They faced national sides from Australia, Samoa and the Philippines.
“It was a huge honour to represent New Zealand and to be a co-captain on the side made it even more special,” he says.
Despite reaching the semi-finals, Harrison says the team had a disappointing finish to the tournament, with an 8-7 loss against the Philippines.
Australia defeated the Philippines 18-4 in the grand final.
Harrison also represented New Zealand at the under 16 touch rugby development tour to the Gold Coast in 2019.
As for his rugby union season with the Pakuranga United Rugby Club, Harrison says it has been going well.
“I started the year off in the under 21s side where we are undefeated and top of the table still and then I was lucky enough to be called up to get my debut for the premier team which was a great experience,” he says.
Last year, he was named the U21 Cannons player of the year and was awarded the Barry Smith Trophy for most points kicked in the senior club and the Charles Piutau Trophy for Senior Player of the Year.
As a result of his success, Harrison was the first recipient of a new Fencible Foundation Scholarship in 2023 which is awarded to local, promising athletes to help support their tertiary endeavours.
“This has helped me to be able to focus more time on my studies by reducing the financial stress,” says Harrison.
Harrison was also awarded the Howick College Senior Sportsman of the Year in 2021 for his role in the school’s 1st XV rugby side during their unbeaten season.
