Latest news with #FabianHolland
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Fabian Holland has All Blacks dream within reach after Highlanders lock re-signs
Highlanders lock Fabian Holland is in line for his maiden All Blacks call up. Photo / Photosport Fabian Holland is on the cusp of completing his Netherlands-to-the-black-jersey dream. Since shifting to New Zealand as a teenager to pursue his childhood desire to play professional rugby, Holland has donned two black jerseys. The first for the NZ under-20s, the second with the All Blacks
Otago Daily Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Key pair sign on to stay at Highlanders
Timoci Tavatavanawai. PHOTO: MICHAEL THOMAS Fabian Holland. PHOTO: MICHAEL BRADLEY The big winners from the Highlanders awards have inked contract extensions with the franchise. Co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai, who scooped five prizes at yesterday's awards night, has signed a two-year contract, while big lock Fabian Holland has signed a three-year extension. Tavatavanawai capped off his year by being named Highlander man of the year and most valuable player. Tavatavanawai, who was a standout defensively for his work over the ball, caught the eye of fans and his team-mates to be named player's player and fans' player of the year. He was also named back of the year. Holland was the other big winner on the night for his standout performance up front. He was named forward of the year and defender of the year. Loose forward Veveni Lasaqa was named rookie of the year. In a fitting touch, Jacob Ratumaitavuku-Kneepkens was given the southern inspiration award after returning to the field following a series neck injury. Young halfback Dylan Pledger was named the under-20s most valuable player after a standout Super Rugby U20s campaign and his New Zealand under-20 selection. James Arscott won the player personal development award and Jake Te Hiwi was named community champion for his engagement in the region. — APL.
Otago Daily Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Award winners sign extensions
Timoci Tavatavanawai. PHOTO: MICHAEL THOMAS Fabian Holland. PHOTO: MICHAEL BRADLEY The big winners from the Highlanders awards have inked contract extensions with the franchise. Co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai, who scooped five prizes at yesterday's awards night, has signed a two-year contract, while big lock Fabian Holland has signed a three-year extension. Tavatavanawai capped off his year by being named Highlander man of the year and most valuable player. Tavatavanawai, who was a standout defensively for his work over the ball, caught the eye of fans and his team-mates to be named player's player and fans' player of the year. He was also named back of the year. Holland was the other big winner on the night for his standout performance up front. He was named forward of the year and defender of the year. Loose forward Veveni Lasaqa was named rookie of the year. In a fitting touch, Jacob Ratumaitavuku-Kneepkens was given the southern inspiration award after returning to the field following a series neck injury. Young halfback Dylan Pledger was named the under-20s most valuable player after a standout Super Rugby U20s campaign and his New Zealand under-20 selection. James Arscott won the player personal development award and Jake Te Hiwi was named community champion for his engagement in the region. — APL.
Otago Daily Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Towering star has feet on the ground
Fabian Holland is too unselfish to talk for too long about himself. And he is too smart to start talking about his All Blacks plans before he has even worn the black jersey. Holland has been one of the shining lights in an underwhelming Highlanders season that will effectively be over if they lose to the Hurricanes in Wellington tonight. The giant Dutchman — and when you stand next to him, you get the inescapable feeling he has added a centimetre or two to a frame listed at 2.04m and 124kg — has played all 11 games, maintained a remarkably high workrate and generally done everything possible to get his team winning. "I've just tried to do my job for the team," Holland said as he downplayed his efforts. "The coaches have given me a licence to just go out there and be myself and play my game. "I just try to do whatever I can to help the team out." Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph raised more than one eyebrow when he named a squad for the 2025 season that included just two specialist locks. Holland and fellow beanpole Mitch Dunshea have, blessedly, been remarkably durable this season. Holland has started 10 games and made one appearance off the bench, and his 738 minutes are second in the squad only to indefatigable co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai's 870. "The body has been really good. Ethan de Groot's got a sauna, so we've been using that quite a bit. "A lot of time goes into it. It's kind of like figuring out what works for you. "I spend quite a bit of time on what works for my body. I do quite a bit of stretching, Pilates, ice baths, make sure my sleep is really good. I work a lot with the nutritionist. 'It seems like it's been working for me." Holland's work ethic is highlighted by his tackle count this season. He has made 165 tackles, 32 more than his closest Highlanders compadre and good for fourth in all of Super Rugby. As All Blacks coach Scott Robertson prepares to name his squad in a few weeks, most armchair selectors will have Holland in the mix, especially as he played for the All Blacks XV last year and trained with the top squad. A test debut would complete the fairytale of the kid who moved from the Netherlands to New Zealand to pursue his rugby dream, but Holland is sticking to the script of worrying only about the Highlanders for now. "I guess you're always dreaming of that moment. "For now, I'm just concentrating on the next three weeks and trying to get ourselves a playoff spot. "We're very aware it could be our last three weeks, but it's not over until the fat lady sings." Holland enjoyed some time in Central Otago to hang out with friends during the bye week. It was a chance to clear the head and prepare for three tough weeks that could still leave Highlanders fans feeling optimistic. "I guess we were a wee bit frustrated after that Moana game, so it was kind of good to get away from the game for a wee bit and have a rethink and refresh. "It came at the right time, and we're ready for the next three weeks, and hopefully we can get ourselves a spot in the playoffs. "We're a really tight group. It's been frustrating that results haven't been going our way but this is such a tight group, and we believe every week, when we step out on the park, we have a chance to win. "We have a chance to inspire the people down south, and that's what we want to do." The Hurricanes have won eight straight games against the Highlanders. While the clash earlier this season was close, the Canes winning 20-18, the form of the respective sides has since gone in different directions.
Otago Daily Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
ODT Landers Chat: Holland's journey to stardom
On ODT Landers Chat today, brought to you by Temuka Transport and Impact Roofing and Plumbing, Fabian Holland talks about his extraordinary journey from beginnings in the Netherlands to Highlanders star. We ask Holland about moving to New Zealand as a 16-year-old, coming to Christchurch Boys' High School, on to the Dunedin Sharks, the Highlanders and quite possibly the All Blacks this year. We talk about the Highlanders season so far and have the All Blacks selectors being talking to him? We also touch on making the Baa Baa's and locking the scrum with childhood hero the legendary Sam Whitelock.
