James Fisher-Harris, known affectionately as ‘Fish’, is set to make his debut against his former club, the Penrith Panthers, after achieving significant success with them, including winning four premierships. In an interview with fellow Kiwi and former teammate Shaun Johnson, Fisher-Harris discussed his surprising move back to New Zealand and the motivations behind it.
Now playing for the Warriors, Fisher-Harris expressed his enthusiasm about returning home, referring to it as “like a clean slate.” He emphasised that the only other team he considered joining was the Warriors, and after discussing it thoroughly with his wife, they made the decision to relocate. He shared that he was eager to challenge himself and escape a sense of complacency he felt while at Penrith, aiming to represent both his team and country more vigorously.
Interestingly, Fisher-Harris highlighted that he was originally overlooked by the Warriors when he was a 17-year-old prospect. Warriors assistant coach Stacey Jones had watched him play, but he wasn’t offered a contract. Instead, the Panthers were quick to act, sending a scout to his hometown in Whangarei, which ultimately led to his signing.
Additionally, one of Fisher-Harris’s key ambitions with the Warriors is to contribute to their first premiership victory. This desire reflects his commitment to not only excel personally but also to help elevate his new club into contention. With the Panthers struggling this season, his return home could potentially lead to further disappointment for his old team as they face a challenging match on Saturday against the Warriors.