If you type Harrison's name into the search engine, a high-achieving but certainly flawed character is revealed, with brutal emphasis on the controversies of his career.

There's the unflattering description of him as a ''plank'' and a ''plod'', courtesy of English winger Austin Healey after the Brumbies played the touring British and Irish Lions in 2001.

There's the bitter feud with his former Brumbies coach David Nucifora, who Harrison repeatedly criticised in the press after his departure from the club.

There's the first major stain on Harrison's reputation, when in 2005 while playing for the Waratahs he made a racist slur against South African opponent Chumani Booi.

And of course, there's this year's suspension for cocaine use while with English club Bath, the ''stain I carry for the rest of my life''.

Harrison can't and doesn't expect his rap sheet to be forgotten. But his contrition for his mistakes seems genuine. It has certainly convinced the Brumbies, who make much of the importance of character in their organisation.

Speaking to The Canberra Times yesterday Harrison didn't plead that he was a changed man, as you might expect from someone in his position.

In fact he wanted it to be known that he still was the same man, a ''gregarious, opinionated person'', imperfect certainly but one who gave great service to the Brumbies and Wallabies.

What he hopes is that by returning to Canberra, giving everything he can to the team's cause and leading a good life off the field, the definition of him when he gives the game away will be a little better balanced.

To have one final chance to reshape his story, is one we have to believe Harrison won't waste. It doesn't sound like he will.

''For what the Brumbies have done in restoring a small part of my honour, I can never repay them,'' Harrison said.

'' They'll have a loyal servant in me for the rest of my life.''