James Fisher-Harris asked Penrith officials at the start of last year for permission to skip the World Club Challenge to represent the Maori All Stars.
And had this year’s All Stars game clashed with his new club’s season-opener in Las Vegas, Fisher-Harris does not hesitate to declare which fixture he’d prioritise: “I’d play All Stars.”
Panthers officials reluctantly explained to Fisher-Harris last year he was needed in England for the campaign against Super League champions Wigan.
This year, the Warriors were entitled to ask their prized off-season recruit to miss the All Stars fixture and focus on being fit and fresh for next Thursday’s flight to the US.
But when you listen to Fisher-Harris talk about the importance of Maori culture, language – and need to stand up to government factions wanting to walk back Maori rights enshrined in the Treaty of Waitangi since 1840 – you realise missing a second straight All Stars game simply wasn’t an option for the fearsome front-rower.
The Maori are expected to show their support for the Treaty when they perform the Haka before kick-off at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.
James Fisher-Harris trains with the Maori All Stars on Thursday.Credit: Steven Siewert
“I tried to play this game last year, and if I had my time again, I’d play All Stars,” Fisher-Harris told this masthead on Thursday.
“I came pretty close to playing. [In the end], it was sort of the ‘Last Ride’ with the [Penrith] boys, and I thought I’d give it one more crack.
“I would play All Stars [this year] in front of Vegas, to be honest. That’s not to disrespect the Warriors, but more about what the Maori mean to me.
“With everything going on back home, with the Treaty, this means a lot. It’s all about honouring the ones who come before you, and that connection to where you are from.
‘I represent hard’: James Fisher-Harris.Credit: Steven Siewert
“I want my kids to grow up around it [the culture], I want them to feel comfortable around it, to know what’s going on, and learn everything, especially the language.
“All our older ones are passing, and we need to grab the torch. I’m still learning [myself], I’m still a ‘newb’, but I represent hard, and that’s why I’m here.”
Fisher-Harris stunned the Panthers early last season when he told the club he wanted to return to New Zealand, after the passing of his koro, or grandfather. The 29-year-old was a key member of the Panthers side that won four straight premierships at Penrith, and admits that he has since questioned his decision.
“This is a big move, this is a big process for me and my family, my partner [Natalie] is part-Australian, and most of her family is there, so it’s a lot,” he said. “I had to take my daughter out of school and bring her to another school.
‘All Maori know, you feel disconnected when you stay somewhere else too long.’
James Fisher-Harris
“It’s all those little things that add up, and makes me think, ‘Is this a bit selfish of me, bro, doing all this?’ I question that more than anything. I haven’t been home too long. My wife and I have had a few conversations, and we keep each other honest.
“I believe there’s a higher purpose. And I just reckon my kids will thrive in the environment. Who knows, we’re not closing the door on Australia. We have family in both countries. Whatever happens down the track, we’ll see what happens.
“All Maori know, you feel disconnected when you stay somewhere else too long.
“I felt like the time was right. It also felt like the right time in my rugby league career to try and do something for my home, my own backyard, for the Warriors, and give back to the country. I’m not trying to change the world, I’m just trying to do the best I can through my actions.”
After completing his All Stars commitments, Fisher-Harris will turn his focus to helping the Warriors try to win their first NRL title. They reached the preliminary finals in 2023, during Andrew Webster’s first year as head coach, but failed to reach September last year.
When you suggest it would be unrealistic to expect the Warriors to win as frequently as the Panthers did the past five years, Fisher-Harris almost takes offence. It is not a pleasant experience, upsetting one of league’s most intimidating men.
“I don’t know about that, bro,” Fisher-Harris said. “It’s not in my DNA to think like that. We have belief. It’s a new season. I believe we can do it. I get to lead, along with ‘Barney’ [Mitch Barnett] … I want to do well with the Warriors, and bring a premiership there.
“It hasn’t been done before, and that excites me. Whatever I can give back to the boys at the Warriors, the Kiwis and Maoris, I’m just happy to do that and be that guy.”
