James Fisher-Harris


James Fisher-Harris is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a and forward for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and New Zealand and the New Zealand Māori at international level.

Background

Fisher-Harris was born in Kohukohu, New Zealand. He is of Māori descent.
Fisher-Harris played his junior rugby league for the Whangarei Marist Brothers, before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.

Playing career

Early career

Fisher-Harris joined the Panthers in 2013 as a member of their S. G. Ball Cup team. In 2014 and 2015, Fisher-Harris played for the Penrith Panthers' NYC team.
On 2 May 2015, he played for the Junior Kiwis, against the Junior Kangaroos, starting at prop in the 22-20 loss at Robina Stadium. On 15 May 2015, Fisher-Harris re-signed with the Panthers on a 3-year contract. On 4 October 2015, Fisher-Harris played in the 2015 Holden Cup Grand final against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, starting at second-row in the 34-18 victory.

2016

In Round 1 of the 2016 NRL season, Fisher-Harris made his NRL debut for the Panthers against the Canberra Raiders, playing off the interchange bench in the Panthers 30-22 loss at Canberra Stadium. In Round 8 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Fisher-Harris scored his first and second NRL career tries in the 20-18 loss at Shark Park. On 2 June 2016, Fisher-Harris extended his contract with the Panthers from the end of 2018 to the end of 2019. Fisher-Harris finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 23 matches and scoring 5 tries for the Panthers in the 2016 NRL season. On 22 September 2016, Fisher-Harris was rewarded for his impressive debut season with selection in the New Zealand national rugby league team 24-man squad for the 2016 Four Nations. On 11 November 2016, Fisher-Harris made his international debut for New Zealand against Scotland, playing off the interchange bench in the shock 18-18 all draw at Derwent Park in Workington, England. This was the only match that Fisher-Harris played in the tournament.

2017

On 21 January 2017, Fisher-Harris was named the junior player of the year by the New Zealand Rugby League. Fisher-Harris finished the 2017 NRL season with him playing in 15 matches, missing a chunk of matches due to eye, shoulder and hamstring injuries.

2018

Fisher-Harris made 25 appearances for Penrith in 2018 as the club finished 5th on the table and qualified for the finals. Fisher-Harris played in both finals matches as Penrith were eliminated in week two by Cronulla-Sutherland 21-20.

2019

Fisher-Harris made a total of 24 appearances for Penrith in the 2019 NRL season and scored two tries as the club finished 10th on the table and missed out on the finals for the first time since 2015.