Soon that gratitude may be shared by England coach Eddie Jones. Last modified on Sat 19 Oct 2019 08.14 EDT. Harrison began playing rugby at a young age, like many boys in New Zealand. His former coach back at home called him a 'mongrel' and he concedes that Mallinder once referred to him as a wild man, explaining: 'I ran around not really doing much. "It's been massive in turning me around. The 24-year-old Harrison was omitted from the 45-strong elite player squad named less than four weeks ago and hauled off only 31 minutes into England’s most recent Test against Australia in Sydney. Eddie Jones aiming for depth in England squad for autumn internationals, England’s most recent Test against Australia in Sydney. We have to make them feel uncomfortable.”. The recipe seems to be working. I hope I can make him proud by succeeding over here. “No one likes to see players get injured but we need to train with intensity to beat South Africa. The Saints acquired a flanker with energy, aggression and raw class, as well as a colourful character. Speaking about the events for the first time, Harrison said: "That was a really tough time - probably the toughest of my life. He plays as a back row forward. These days the colours of the Saints feature in an elaborate sleeve tattoo on Harrison's right arm. Thankfully, I played well so he said, 'Yeah, bring him over'. When Harrison arrived he wore expansive dreadlocks. "Ever since I showed up, there's been all this talk about England not having an out-and-out No 7. He told the club about me. When I got over here I didn't fit in so I snipped it off.". Wood, who along with Gloucester’s No8 Ben Morgan and Bath’s Dave Attwood, has not featured since the Stuart Lancaster era, will be invited to restate his credentials in the Algarve next week where Jones is promising another no holds barred training camp despite his team’s recent heavy injury toll. After early days as a lock, he shifted to the back row and went on to captain the school which has produced a current All Black, Liam Messam, as well as Hartley for England. The English struggled to say 'Teimana' correctly, so nicknames were required. Harrison has already had profound experiences on and off the field. Teimana Harrison is enjoying a breakthrough season in the Aviva Premiership with Northampton Saints. Another friend, Ricardo Maaka, was also convicted for his part in the incident. That is a display of affection and loyalty to the club who gave him a chance, but even more poignant is the ink on his chest. He plays as a back row forward. But through all that, the family supported me - my mate's family. 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Teimana Harrison (born 5 September 1992) is a rugby union player, born in New Zealand of Maori, Pakeha and European mixed ancestry, who currently plays for Gallagher Premiership side Northampton Saints. When he returned to his old school in New Zealand in 2011, he identified Teimana Harrison as a talented prospect. "They went in my second year here," he said. Jones, who has named six uncapped players in a 33-man squad, is determined to pick a combative pack and improve his team’s “abysmal record” of not beating South Africa since 2006. Now Harrison is on England's radar for the Saxons trip to South Africa in June and is ready to push himself as a specialist candidate for the No 7 Test shirt. Photo / Getty Images, • Teimana Harrison was a student at Rotorua Boys High School in 2011 when he hit his friend Bishop Thompson, 17, with his jet-ski on Lake Okareka.• Harrison and another friend, who had been riding with Bishop on another jet-ski, were convicted over the death.• He is now enjoying a breakthrough season with England's Northampton Saints• Talking about Bishop's death, Harrison explains how he is "doing it for both of us". He will fight the good fight; for himself, his club and for the friend he lost. It's still hard to think about but I guess I've been able to move on a bit now. Now I choose my battles better. 11.1k Followers, 830 Following, 194 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Teimana Harrison (@teimana07) Eddie Jones has offered Northampton’s Teimana Harrison a rapid route back into international rugby less than a month after axing the back-row forward from his squad. The pals had been messing around on Lake Okareka, Thompson fell into the water and was struck by the jet-ski being ridden by Harrison. Injuries have opened up opportunities in the Saints back row and he has excelled - operating both in his familiar openside role and also at No 8. "I think of him a lot. On Saturday, he will have another against Saracens' mighty back row. Harrison has excelled in recent months. Harrison, 23, is a Kiwi with English blood. They might make an appearance again later on but I want to be known for the rugby and not the crazy hairstyle! • Teimana Harrison was a student at Rotorua Boys High School in 2011 when he hit his friend Bishop Thompson, 17, with his jet-ski on Lake Okareka. Jones continues to view the former captain Chris Robshaw as England’s “best six” and argues that “the way the side is currently set up we don’t need a specialist openside”. "I was a bit of a hillbilly, I suppose. I had a mean mullet and the boys at home said, 'You should get that dreaded'. He was a really good rugby player and was aspiring to be an All Black.