Highlanders and Otago lock Fabian Holland, who moved from his native Netherlands to New Zealand when he was 16 to pursue a rugby career, could today be named in a black jersey.
Stuff yesterday reported a tweak to eligibility laws meant Holland was now qualified to represent his adopted land.
That means he could today be named in either the All Blacks for their five-test northern tour or the back-up All Blacks XV for two games in Europe.
World Rugby made an eligibility change from August 1, Stuff reported.
Previously, a player needed to complete five months of unbroken residency in their new country before becoming eligible.
Holland’s two years of schooling in Christchurch did not count, so it was thought he would not become eligible for the All Blacks until late 2025.
The new law says a player must have a "genuine, close, credible and established link" to a New Zealand union.
Holland certainly has that, having become an integral part of both the Otago NPC team and the Highlanders, and a popular member of the Dunedin club.
New Zealand Rugby told Stuff that Holland, who turns 22 on Wednesday, would be given the green light.
Now the question is whether the giant Dutchman will get some good news from All Blacks coach Scott Robertson.
If he is indeed eligible, it seems almost unthinkable that he will not make one of the two national squads, as he has been on the radar for at least two years and has all the attributes of an international lock.
Scott Barrett is the captain, Tupou Vaa’i is the rising star and Patrick Tuipolotu is the respected veteran, so it seems likely only one locking spot remains open in the All Blacks.
Sam Darry did little wrong in his opportunities in his debut international season, so it may be that Holland and Josh Lord are the second-row combination for the All Blacks XV, and on hand to help the test team if injuries arise on the gruelling northern tour.
Either way, it could be an immensely proud day for Otago’s favourite Dutchman.
