Wallabies playmaker Mike Harris says it’s Australia’s “job” to ensure there’s no mental scarring heading into Saturday’s Test against Wales in Brisbane.
The Queensland goal-kicker endured a baptism of fire in Tuesday’s crushing 9-6 loss to Scotland but says he’s hopeful of getting a second chance on his home ground at Suncorp Stadium.
New Zealand-born Harris watched on in horror as the diabolical weather conditions in Newcastle ensured it was a debut he’ll never forget.
He missed two long-range penalty kicks which would have given Australia the lead, and with just minutes remaining, Harris came up with the crucial error of the match.
What would have been a regulation kick downfield on any other night sailed dead thanks to the howling wind and presented Scotland with the field position they needed to kick a post-siren penalty to win the match.
Harris said it was hard to take, but he’s desperate to face Wales.
“I hope so, but obviously that’s out of my hands,” said Harris, who will feel pressure to retain his No.12 jumper from Pat McCabe, who was on the bench on Tuesday night.
“I’ve played in some pretty bad conditions before obviously growing up in New Zealand, but that was something else. That was definitely the worst I’ve ever played in and it felt like playing in a hurricane basically.
“I just couldn’t believe (the kick went dead) really. I was probably 30 metres out from my own goal line and I thought it would go a normal 20 or 30 metre bomb.
“I look up and it’s landed in the 22 and got an awful kick forward and gone dead. Obviously you learn from stuff like that.”
Harris refuted suggestions from Scotland coach Andy Robinson that Australia should have tried more with ball in hand – the Wallabies No.12 adamant that would have been near-impossible in the conditions.
Despite losing to the Six Nations wooden spooners, he said Australia wouldn’t be gun-shy preparing for the northern hemisphere champions Wales.
“I think that’s part of the job. You don’t get to this level without the ups and downs of professional sport and that’s one thing about it, you learn from it and then you move on,” he said.
Winger Joe Tomane made a great try-saving play in the first half against Scotland, but is hoping for a dry track to show his speed in Brisbane.