All Black returns from Europe
All Black and Waikato loose forward legend Marty Holah has re-signed with the Waikato Rugby Union through to the end of 2011.
Holah, who played 36 Tests for the All Blacks between 2001 and 2006, has been playing for Welsh side Ospreys since leaving New Zealand in 2007.
The 35-year-old Holah has played his way through the New Zealand system including seven seasons with the Chiefs, captaining the Junior All Blacks, the New Zealand Maori side and playing for the All Blacks.
He played his 150th first class game in 2006 against the Highlanders at Hamilton in his first match as the Chiefs’ Captain.
Holah, who is renowned for being a scrappy openside flank with great ball-pilfering abilities at the breakdown, a strong defender and a player who demonstrates a high work rate, has been a loyal servant to Waikato since his debut in the team in 1999.
He played for the side right through to 2007 when he signed with the Welsh side Ospreys. He continued his success in Wales and after extending his contract for a third season, he received the “Ospreys’ Coaches Player of the Year” award after an outstanding season for the side.
Holah said: “I am excited about the opportunity to return to Waikato later this year.
“I have enjoyed my experience with the Ospreys on and off the field, but feel it’s time to move back home to be closer to my family and friends and to enjoy playing for my home province again. I felt it was the right time to move while I still have something to offer the province that has given me so many opportunities.”
Waikato Coach Chris Gibbes commented: “We are extremely excited about having someone with Marty’s experience back in our programme. We have some quality young loose forwards coming through and for them to be able to learn off Marty will be invaluable for Waikato Rugby long term.
“The structure of this year’s NPC competition and the timing of the Super Rugby finish date, and our start date, are so close it means that we need experienced players like Marty to get off to the best possible start this year. It will be a massive challenge for Waikato this season and with the leadership he can provide our players & team, Waikato rugby can continue to grow. It’s great to see a ‘true blue’ Waikato man back”.
Waikato Rugby Union CEO Graham Bowen said:”We are thrilled to have Marty come home to help us through a tough 2011 campaign. Marty epitomises the Red, Yellow and Black ethos and he will be a huge asset to our younger players within the 2011 Waikato squad. Marty is the type of Waikato icon that will encourage our rugby public to come back to Waikato Stadium.”
