Harris turns back on Lions dream
Iestyn Harris has turned his back on “the ultimate dream” of playing for the Lions when Clive Woodward takes them to New Zealand next year by deciding to return to rugby league.
That is the verdict of Wales coach Mike Ruddock and defence expert Clive Griffiths, who broke off preparations for the opening Test against Argentina in Tucuman on Saturday to speak about Harris' decision.
Harris has served notice of his decision to invoke a clause in his complex contract with the Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff Blues to switch back to the 13-a-side code with Bradford Bulls.
It is understood family reasons among the strongest reasons for Harris’ switch almost three years after he signed for Cardiff and the Welsh Rugby Union.
The news came as no surprise to Ruddock or Griffiths.
Griffiths first had the player under his wing when Harris arrived at Warrington rugby league club as a 15-year-old and knows the 27-year-old better than anyone in Welsh rugby.
“Rugby league has been in Iestyn’s blood since he was knee high, but once he had signed for rugby union in Wales, there was always the clause in his contract that said he would return to league,” said Griffiths.
“People said he would not make it union, but he has played on the biggest stage in the 2003 World Cup and acquitted himself very, very well as far as I am concerned.
“The only thing is that he would have got better and better had he stayed in union. People will wonder ‘what if’ about what would have happened had Iestyn stayed in union – and so Iestyn will deep down.
“But this is something Iestyn feels very, very strongly about and the bottom line is that the call to arms to him or rugby league was too strong for him to refuse.”
Ruddock echoes Griffiths’ thoughts, stating, “We are not surprised, but we are disappointed by Iestyn’s decision. That said we wish Iestyn well – there are no hard feelings and good luck to him.
“I had a quick chat to Iestyn a while back and he seemed to indicate to me that he would be trying for a Lions spot. Obviously something convinced him not to try for that. Whatever it is we respect it and we wish him well.
“We don’t like to lose any quality player, particularly someone like Iestyn who has worked hard at his game in the last few years.”
Ruddock has pinpointed Gavin Henson as the player to assume Iestyn Harris’ playmaking role.
Ruddock said, “My view is that one door closes and another one opens. I am hoping that Gavin Henson can go through that door and open it nice and wide on Saturday against Argentina.”
