New Zealand Warriors captain Tohu Harris has had honest conversations with New Zealand Kiwis coach Michael Maguire over what he needs to achieve to get back into the national side.
Harris ruled out a return to the team for the upcoming Test against Tonga as he didn’t want to risk a premature return after coming back from a knee reconstruction.
Harris said that Maguire was incredibly supportive during their discussion and the 30-year-old will be ready for the Rugby League World Cup later in the year.
“It was more just about how I was feeling and where I’m at,” Harris said on SEN 1170 Afternoons.
“We spoke about coming back from injury and my form.
“I had a conversation with him and obviously coming back from an ACL and being away from home, it was certainly too early to be thinking about international footy.”
Harris missed the opening nine rounds of the season but returned in Magic Round against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Harris is yet to register a win with the Warriors in Season 2022 but is hoping that the fast-approaching return to New Zealand will be the spark the side desperately needs.
“It’s huge,” he said.
“The team, the staff and basically the whole team were living on top of one another.
“It does get a bit overwhelming because it feels like work all the time and you don’t get that down time and you don’t get that stress relief of having your friends, family, or kids with you.
“We’ve got a lot of guys really looking forward to going back.
“It’s going to be a huge moment when we do go back.”
The Warriors host the Panthers in Redcliffe on June 18 before returning to Mt Smart Stadium the following week when they host the Wests Tigers.