Winner of the Super Rugby 2024 with the Auckland Blues, the solid number 10 New Zealand has chosen to try the adventure in Top 14 for the next three seasons.
Stopped with the All Blacks
His arrival in France is linked to an observation: he is not in the small papers of the New Zealand coach, Scott Robertson. Who prefers him Beauden Barrett, but also Damian McKenzie and Richie Mo’unga. A tough competition for Plummer, who did not have the opportunity to show his talent in the fern jersey. Only one selection on September 21, 2024, for a few minutes at the end of the match against Australia. 2024, the year he had led, as holder, the Auckland Blues, trained by a certain Vern Cotter, to the final victory in Super Rugby (he had already been a finalist in 2022). A number 10, which he had then lost in favor of … Beauden Barrett, back from a freelance in Japan.
“I felt that I was probably not going to have a real chance to achieve what I had imagined, entrusted Harry Plummer to New Zealand Herald. The probable return (Japan, editor’s note) De Richie Mo’unga did not sealed my destiny, but it weighed me a little. Yes, I am young (27 years old), but I have this incredible opportunity to radically change life, to move to a really nice region of France and to participate in a big competition. It will make me grow a lot, as a person and as a player, to be able to play rugby in the northern hemisphere. (…) But I have no resentment towards anyone, neither the selection, nor the blues. It’s like that. We cannot play forever in New Zealand… ” A strong choice since coming to compete in the top 14 eliminates him for the All Blacks and the 2027 World Cup.
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Encouraged by Vern Cotter
The new Blues sports boss knows Clermont well for leaving the ASM from 2006 to 2014. Vern Cotter therefore gave him valuable advice on his future destination. “After the season, we drank a drink with Vern and he explained to me how incredible the fervor was here and the history of ASM. He explained to me what I had to do, by joining the culture of this club. Clermont is a club that has the reputation of being a worker, it will not be easy, I know, but I can’t wait to learn. ”
Harry ticks all the boxes!
Christophe Urios
Desired by Christophe Urios
The departures of Benjamín Urdapilleta (retreat) and Anthony Belleau (Northampton) made an imperative the arrival of an opener. And the name Plummer immediately posed at the top of the list. “Harry was our first choice, the priority target of our recruitment”says Christophe Urios, who had also surveyed the Englishman George Ford and the Argentin Tomas Albornoz. “We were looking for an international player, capable of adapting to the offensive play style that we want to set up with experience but also still a margin of progression. His profile will allow him to adapt to the rugby of the northern hemisphere and in particular that of our championship. Harry ticks all the boxes! It has, in addition, an excellent game at the foot and beautiful physical qualities which make it a solid defender and a weapon capable of attacking the confrontation zone on the first days of play. Like most New Zealand players, it has a technique and a rugby culture that will benefit the whole group. He’s really the player we wanted to help us build the next ASM cycle ”said the ASM manager to the club site. Without forgetting that Plummer, with a solid physique (1.85 m for 96 kg) is also able to play at the center post.
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Accelerated French learning
Before landing in Auvergne even, Harry Plummer had spent a deal with his future staff: taking French lessons without delay to facilitate his integration. “I have to learn the language very quickly by my post, where I have to communicate a lot, but also to understand meetings or video sessions more easily.” To accelerate learning, he did not hesitate to land in advance, in early July. “I arrived very early, at the beginning of July. This allowed me to meet some of my teammates, including hopes and other recruits. ”
Already won over by the Yellow Army
His first at home last Sunday against the Toulouse stadium, confirmed his expectations. Namely a Marcel-Michelin stadium in merger. “Lots of noise and a lot of passion. I know how passionate the Clermonts are. The Yellow Army is a really special group of supporters. And I don’t think there is something similar elsewhere in the world. It’s incredible. “ One more reason not to regret your choice of exile. “Rugby offers us the incredible opportunity to see the whole world. This is something that no other job allows: traveling while continuing to do what you like. Clermont is a great place to show me a new lifestyle. I have only been there for two months, so I still learn a lot. The lifestyle, people, culture are clearly different from my home. But this is something that I appreciate to know. “
