Holmes expects Waikato to be among the contenders in the 12-team women’s competition.
She is adapting to a positional switch. Often used as a first-receiver because of her skill level, Holmes played at hooker in Cambridge.
That still made use of her playmaking ability, but also involved her in the set piece.
“I’m evolving into that role,” she said.
She enjoyed getting lifted in lineouts.
Holmes captained the side in two of the matches and she said playing five tough games in one day was challenging.
She described the first-up win against Counties Manukau as a little rough, as the team were getting used to systems and combinations.
With so many games, the team had to manage their resources carefully, so she had time on the bench against North Harbour and they tried different combinations against Northland.
Things really came together against Bay of Plenty.
“It was an unreal performance from everyone,” Holmes said.
“Everything just worked. We attacked for nearly the whole game.”
Waikato had a tight loss against Auckland, but had done enough earlier in the tournament to take the title.
Holmes was part of the Ignite7 event a week earlier and was named one of the most valuable players from the tournament. She was selected for a national sevens development camp next year.
She was the Waikato 15s player of the year.
Holmes said she liked the Waikato team culture in both 15s and sevens.
