Holland, in Europe with the All Blacks XV second-stringers, has been whistled into the test squad as injury cover.
He will join Hurricanes loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi and Crusaders outside back Chay Fihaki to help the All Blacks prepare to play France this weekend.
Some cavalry is needed as veteran flanker Sam Cane has been scratched with HIA protocols, winger Mark Tele’a is gone with a hand problem, and lock Sam Darry has returned to New Zealand with a season-ending MCL injury.
Holland will gain valuable experience from being around the All Blacks and it seems only a matter of time before the giant Dutchman is a test regular.
There are still plenty of locks — captain Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipolotu and Josh Lord — on the tour but there is a chance Holland could make his test debut against Italy next week.
Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot, meanwhile, will be eager to get his test career back on track in Paris. The burly Southlander missed the win over England after breaching team protocol and, while he was available to play Ireland at the weekend, the coaches went for Tamaiti Williams instead.
De Groot will be fit — and no doubt fuming a little — so will likely get the start against France.
Two All Blacks veterans, hooker Codie Taylor and first five Beauden Barrett, are possibly available for the Paris test after missing the Dublin delight with concussion.
Forwards coach Jason Ryan said losing Cane and Tele’a was a blow.
"Definitely, but it’s next man in," Ryan said yesterday.
"We have no doubt that whoever comes in will do a great job, but yeah, Sam’s been immense. He’s been exceptional on the field and also with the leaders and younger boys."
If Cane is not fit to play the Italians in Turin, the win over England will have been his last game for the All Blacks as he is retiring from test rugby at the end of the year and heading to Japan.
Injured loosies Dalton Papali’i and Ethan Blackadder will play no part in the tour as they continue their recovery. — Additional reporting RNZ
