Dragons squad wing Will Harries is hoping to secure a New Zealand
double – by returning to the home of the All Blacks with Warren Gatland’s squad
for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Harries is savouring his first international squad tour experience
and plans to focus hard on his rugby to try to get selected again.
The Dragons wing said: “Everyone wants to play in a Rugby World
Cup and I am no different so I really want to make my mark now in order to be
considered for selection next season.
“Right now for me it’s all about enjoying this great experience
and making sure I concentrate on the preparation. Training has already been
pretty intensive here in New Zealand and in the sessions before we flew out.
“The All Blacks are one of the best rugby teams in the world but
we are focused on sticking to our game plan. I am really happy to be part of
the squad and all the more senior players have been very welcoming.
“I am very grateful to everyone at the Dragons for helping me
achieve this goal and get into the squad. The Dragons have been playing well
and that’s been good for me because as a winger I have been getting plenty of
ball.
“The forwards have been going really well so I have been benefitting
from the good possession the Dragons backs have been getting.”
Harries was speaking as the squad left Auckland to move to
Wellington where they will be based for their first game in next year’s Rugby
World Cup. Later in the week the squad will move to the South Island and
Dunedin to play the All Blacks next Saturday.
Harries added: “It would be fantastic to be capped but I know I
just have to train really hard and see what happens. I benefitted from Shane
Williams’ unavailability through injury but there are still other very good
Welsh wings on this tour.
