Holwell returns to make century for Northland

The term legend isn't used too often in rugby circles, but you'll hear it mentioned more than a few times this week as sports' fans turn inevitably to discussing  David Holwell's contribution to Northland rugby.
He has achieved more than most in a representative career spanning 15 years - largely because of his attitude toward the game.
"I am a firm believer that if you work hard then you'll go further than maybe you thought you might have," the 33-year-old said.
"I was always one of the slowest guys in a rugby team so  I always made sure I was the fittest, so at the end of the game I was still running."
The 33-year-old will play his 100th game for Northland against Wellington this Sunday - an appropriate fixture because Holwell has also played more than 60 NPC games for the capital  during his Super-14 career for the Hurricanes.
Holwell retired from provincial rugby in March, citing a combination of work commitments on his beef farm at Riponui and to protect his shoulders, injured  knocking over charging locks and loose forwards.
At the end of August,  after a season of club rugby and  a slightly lessened farm workload,  he contacted Northland coach Bryce Woodward and made himself available for the rest of the season.
The desire to help Northland out in an important year was great news for the province, who lacked experience and leadership on the field.
Holwell said the lure of passing the 100-game mark didn't play a major part in the decision.
 "But I'd be lying if I said it wasn't in the back of my mind when I decided to play again, everyone wants to reach that 100-game mark if they can."
After missing out on Northland selection in 1995, the 19-year-old was selected as part of the Vikings team to play the Taniwha in a pre-season game. He made the most of his chance and the rest is history. "Sid (Going) was the coach back then and I played for the Vikings against Northland and me and Norm Maxwell played in the game and the two of us ended up getting picked."
Two seasons later the pair  was part of the triumphant side that won the second division, giving Northland their first division status. "That was probably the highlight for me, beating the Central Vikings back in '97, it was a great year and winning the final made it a very good memory," Holwell said.
After the end of his Wellington career and after spending a year playing for Irish club Leinster, he  returned to Northland, bought a beef farm at Riponui and threw himself into  juggling rugby and farming.
"There've been some good victories as well as some tough losses ... you kind of rise against the big teams, the Aucklands and the Canterburys, and then drop games we possibly should be winning - it's been the story of the past decade of Northland rugby."
While his Northland career failed to net a first division title, the satisfaction of being home with his family - wife Dianne, and children,  7-year-old Ella and  4-year-old Darcy, more than made up for it.
Although he was on standby for an All Black tour, he was unfortunate to peak at a time when the country was literally swimming in talented first five-eighths.
"I was in era when there was some pretty awesome 10s around - Andrew Mehrtens, Tony Brown and Carlos Spencer - and that obviously doesn't help the cause but that's the way it goes.
"It isn't really a regret, I never stopped trying and although playing for the All Blacks was the ultimate goal, it never happened and I don't have any regrets - I gave it everything as a player and it just didn't happen. At the end of the day I wasn't good enough and I accept that."
Regrets just aren't Holwell's style anyway and he will take his place one final time at least in the backline for Mid Northern next year for one last season of club rugby.
"I love the game and being part of a team, that's always been a part of it for me too and the friendships you make, being involved in the team culture is a big part of rugby."
He said that his shoulders won't allow him another representative season but after saying that at the beginning of this season - it just might pay to watch this space.