Western Force number eight Will Harris is buoyed on by the competition to secure a starting spot in their back row ahead of Friday's opener against the Hurricanes.
Harris headed west in the quest to make the number eight jersey his own after mixed opportunities at the Waratahs.
Don't miss Super Round 2024 in Melbourne from March 1-3. Get your tickets now!
The 23-year-old started nearly every game for the 'Tahs in 2022 before falling behind breakout star Langi Gleeson on the pecking order.
However, he knows the competition is as fierce at the Force with the likes of Michael Wells, Carlo Tizzano, Ollie Callan and Tim Anstee fighting the Easts product for three starting spots.
“Everyone’s hungry. Everyone wants to play, start and work really hard, which ultimately creates a really good environment for that little group within the team,” Harris said to reporters. “We all get along really well so hopefully we can put it on the field this weekend.
“Wellsy is a great person I’ve leaned on a lot, he’s played a lot of footy. Carlo I’ve played with before, you know what you’re going to get, Ollie is similar and Timmy is a very high-level player as well.
“We all push each other, but help each other out at the same time and try and get the best out of each other to ultimately make the team better.”
Harris is back to full fitness after undergoing shoulder surgery during the off-season.
“Compared to three months ago, I’m way in front of where I was (at the start of pre-season),” he said. “If you’d told me three months ago I’d be able to lift weights, run around and tackle people, I’d be pretty stoked.
“Getting used to the heat has been different and we play fast and physical so the switch has been good.”
He'll get to test himself against a physical Hurricanes pack well aware of the troubles of playing at HBF Park, going down 27-22 in 2022.
“They were both really good hit-outs and we took a lot of good learnings out of both," Harris believes.
“It was good to start off with a positive note (against the Reds) and then took a heap out of the second one even they we lost right at the end.
“(The Hurricanes) are a big, physical side up front team with a lot of skills in the backs. They’re also a strong team and Perth is probably very similar to Wellington with the wind so they’ll be prepped for that.”
