The Mole: James Fisher-Harris Speaks Out on Leaving Penrith Before Clashing with Old Teammates

Having clinched four premierships with the Panthers, James Fisher-Harris is set to face his former club for the first time, and he has shared insights into the surprising reasons behind his departure and return to New Zealand.

The powerful player, affectionately known as ‘Fish’, will take the field for the Warriors against a depleted Panthers team on Saturday, potentially driving another nail into the premiers’ finals hopes.

“I’m really enjoying being back home – it feels like a fresh start – something positive is unfolding here,” Fisher-Harris told his former Kiwi teammate Shaun Johnson on the Warriors’ official site.

“The only other team I’d consider joining was this one. I had a significant chat with my wife, and we made it happen, and here we are. I want to step out of my comfort zone.”

“I started to feel a bit… not complacent, but I wanted to represent my team and country each week.”

Fisher-Harris also disclosed that prior to his arrival at Penrith as an inexperienced 17-year-old in 2012, he had been turned away by the Warriors.

“Stacey (Warriors assistant coach Stacey Jones) came to watch me play several times, and nothing materialised,” he recalled with a shrug.

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In contrast, the Panthers were more proactive, sending a scout to his hometown of Whangarei in New Zealand’s far north, and that was the turning point.

Fisher-Harris also mentioned that a key reason for his move was to contribute to the Warriors’ quest to secure their first premiership title.