Holmes stands out

ON THE BREAK: Renee Holmes. Picture by Leigh Ann Dickinson

GISBORNE Girls’ High School student Renee Holmes continued her stellar rugby season with an MVP performance for Hawke’s Bay Tuis against Otago Spirit in the women’s national provincial competition at the weekend.

Otago built on a 10-5 halftime lead to win the match 39-17 at the Tremain Field in Napier on Saturday.

But 17-year-old Holmes, who has settled into the backline at second five-eighth after an initial appearance at centre, had a standout game.

She has played the full 80 minutes in each of Hawke’ Bay’s three Farah Palmer Cup games, and has now been named the side’s most valuable player (MVP) for two of them.

On Saturday she took over the kicking duties and landed one from two attempts. Her successful kick was a sideline conversion right on fulltime.

Last week New Zealand Rugby informed Holmes she had been nominated for a Tania Dalton scholarship, which would help with playing and training costs for three years.

This Saturday, the Tuis play North Harbour at Albany in a game that will be screened live on Sky at 12.05pm.

Holmes has been offered overseas contracts but her short-term plans are to live and work in Gisborne after she leaves school.