Fabian Holland is still getting to grips with the newfound expectation that has followed his breakout campaign for the All Blacks.
The 2.04-metre Highlanders lock is eyeing the tour of South Africa and a potential maiden Rugby World Cup next year, having burst on to the international scene last year.
Holland played all but one test – missing the England fixture due to illness – and established himself as a reliable, starting second-rower, regularly playing 80 minutes.
It resulted in the Dutchman being awarded World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in November.
At just 23 years of age, Holland is still a little uncomfortable being referred to as a senior player for the Highlanders.
However, with the only other All Blacks experience coming via Ethan de Groot, Folau Fakatava and Angus Ta’avao, Holland’s voice carries plenty more mana in 2026.
“Everyone is calling me a senior player, but I’m not 100% sure if I am,” he told the Herald.
“I’m still massively developing my game and still learning from others and what not. I wouldn’t call myself a senior player, but just someone who’s able to have a bit more experience.
“It’s good to put my arm around the young boys because I was there probably one, two, three years ago, and help them transition from ... NPC to Super Rugby.
“So if that means that I’m a senior player, then so be it.”
The Highlanders kick off their Super Rugby Pacific campaign against the Crusaders next Friday in Dunedin.
The defending champions will be without All Blacks captain and fellow lock Scott Barrett, who is on a non-playing sabbatical and is expected to return closer to the end of Super Rugby Pacific’s regular season.
With Holland, Tupou Vaa’i and Josh Lord sharing the All Blacks’ second row with Barrett in the test arena last year, it could be an opportunity for them to establish themselves as the premier locks of Super Rugby.
“I think regardless of if Scooter [Barrett] is resting or not, we all want to contribute. We all want to bring out the best of our abilities and want to contribute to the team.
“I’m not trying to speak for Tupou, but I know we’re both very competitive people. So we always try to get the best out of each other, and it will be better once Scooter is back.”
The Super Rugby launch in Auckland’s Ōrakei was somewhat overshadowed by the ongoing All Blacks coaching selection saga.
Former test hooker Dane Coles has joined a selection panel tasked with finding Scott Robertson’s replacement, who will have less than two years to prepare New Zealand for the 2027 World Cup.
Holland claimed the saga is not a topic of conversation among the players.
“Most of the players here are just focused on their Super Rugby campaign, just trying to take it step by step, week by week. I think we’re more excited for the local derbies at the moment.
“I’m not trying to speak for everyone else here, but for me, I’ve taken my All Blacks hat off and put my Highlanders hat on so I can just focus on my season this year.”
Despite his hat, Holland refused to comment on whether he would like Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph to step into the All Blacks role.
One confirmation the national team does have is the World Cup draw.
The All Blacks will start their campaign against Chile on Saturday October 2 in Perth, ruling out a potential New Zealand versus Australia opener the night before.
They will instead play the Wallabies the next week in Sydney.
Holland admits it would have been unique to open the tournament against their Australian cousins.
“To be able to [play the] opening game in the host country, special moment. But at the end of the day, we just take whatever is given to us.
“Chile is growing as a team, so their development, especially in South America, is going pretty rapidly. So, we’re excited to hopefully play them and hopefully be a part of that team too.”
The Highlanders have just the 2015 title to show for their 30 seasons.
They finished last year’s season 10th on the ladder with just three wins from 14 games.
Holland said contesting for the trophy will require some brains.
“Obviously, we identify ourselves as very tough people down south and very proud of our region. But we need to go beyond that.
“Toughness only brings you so far, and that’s going to be one of the big key points of our foundation, but we’ve got to be smart rugby players as well.
“A lot of the young boys that have been in the group have really stepped up and have been in different environments, All Blacks XV environments, successful NPC environments, and obviously gained a few All Blacks.
“So, the group is just in a real good spot at the moment where it feels like we can compete for a title, and that’s all we’re trying to do.”
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.