Highlanders lock Fabian Holland jumps into All Blacks frame after World Rugby eligibility change
Sunday, 6 October 2024
The big Dutchman is now available 12 months earlier than anticipated.
The 204cm, 124kg lock will turn 22 next week.
All Blacks named on Monday, with All Blacks XV squad to follow on Tuesday.
Otago and Highlanders lock Fabian Holland is eligible for All Blacks or All Blacks XV selection with immediate effect, the Sunday Star-Times can reveal.
Holland, the Netherlands-born giant who only turns 22 next week, moved to New Zealand as a 16-year-old and has risen through the ranks at speed.
He was not expected to become eligible for the All Blacks until late 2025, but a World Rugby eligibility change that kicked in on August 1 has dramatically changed the picture.
Holland, a giant of a man at 204cm and 124kg, is therefore a chance of making the All Blacks squad that will be named on Monday, or more likely the All Blacks XV squad that is set to be revealed on Tuesday.
In August, World Rugby announced a change to Regulation 8 for national team eligibility that stated: “From August 1, 2024, any player with a genuine, close, credible and established link to a union is no longer required to complete 60 months [five years] of unbroken residency in the relevant country right up to the first time that player represents the union.
“Under the revised approach ‘rugby registration” over a 60-month period will need to be demonstrated via registration with a rugby body, including a national union or club.“
The Sunday Star-Times asked New Zealand Rugby if Holland would be covered by the change, and the national body confirmed that he would be given the green light.
Given his age, a spot in the All Blacks XV squad for tour games against Munster and Georgia could be in Holland’s immediate future, but it is a question of when, and not if, Holland makes the full All Blacks squad.
He stood out as soon as he made his debut for Otago. telling Stuff in 2021 that he had been working towards a black jersey for most of his life.
“The [All Blacks] dream sparked up when I was five years old,” he said. “I will always strive for that dream, and work hard towards that dream.
“I’m just trying to enjoy everything that comes with that journey. But it’s definitely a dream of mine and that would be … I just don’t know what I’d do if I got the opportunity to do that somewhere down the stretch.”
Holland had a strong season for the Highlanders and has been a dominant presence for Otago in the NPC.
When he suffered an ankle injury in the first half of the game against Taranaki in round 4, Otago not only lost that game but the following two matches against Canterbury and Counties Manukau with Holland on the sidelines.
He returned via the bench to spark a comeback win against Tasman last week and did the same against Northland on Friday.
While there are still areas of improvement in his game, Holland’s defence is exceptional and he has a rare ability to get over the ball at the breakdown.
Regardless of the All Blacks’ selectors plans for him in November, Holland’s eligibility will be a major boost in an area where New Zealand lacks a bit of depth.
Tupou Vaa’i has been strong for the All Blacks this year, but having Holland available 12 months earlier than anticipated means the coaches can get their hands on an athlete who could be a big part of the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Under the old World Rugby eligibility regulations, Holland needed to wait five years after his 18th birthday to become available, as a player’s school-age years do not count on the eligibility clock.
However, the change effectively overwrites that part of Regulation 8, and will have implications for other countries and players.
If Holland makes the All Blacks or All Blacks XV squad, it will also be a boost for the Highlanders, who have struggled for national recognition of late.
Holland’s younger brother Quentin is also in the Highlanders system, and he is regarded as a No 6/lock of some promise.