Holland to the Highlanders – is not only a headline, but also the description of the journey young Otago lock Fabian Holland has taken to get to the Highlanders. Since the age 5 Holland has enjoyed rugby, so much so, that in 2019 he left his family and friends in the Netherlands as a 16-year-old and travelled to the other side of the world. Holland landed in Christchurch and had initially planned the trip as six-month rugby immersion experience to learn as much as he could about the game, he was so passionate about.

Fast forward 3 years and it would seem he has learned plenty. During that time, he has played for the prestigious Christchurch Boys High School 1st XV, the NZ U20 team, Otago NPC team, and received two caps for the Highlanders in 2022 as an injury replacement. A meteoric rise by anyone’s standards but when you consider he has achieved it all away from his family support network and with English as a second language - it’s a truly remarkable story.

Favourite rugby player?

Brodie Retallick 

What does representing the Highlanders mean to you?

It means everything, representing my family and the fact that you can achieve your wildest dreams and that one’s opinion doesn’t matter as long as you enjoy what you do and work hard for it.

Favourite movie?

The Hitman's Bodyguard