Greg Holmes signs on for 2016 Super Rugby season
St.George Queensland Reds prop Greg Holmes has signed a one-year contract extension, meaning 2016 will be his 12th Super Rugby season with the club.
Holmes this year became Queensland’s most-capped Super Rugby player of all time, with 129 appearances in the competition. He also sits fourth on the list of all-time Queensland players with 131 caps for the state.
The 2015 season has been a strong one for the 32-year-old tighthead who has bolstered a Reds’ pack which has stolen the second-most scrums against the feed across the competition. He is considered to be technically one of the best in Australian Rugby in his position.
Holmes made his Queensland and Super Rugby debut in 2005, which was followed by his Wallabies debut in the same year. He has represented Australia 13 times, including at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Queensland Rugby CEO Jim Carmichael said: “Greg is passionate about Queensland and committed to contributing to the success of this organisation. He has worn the jersey with pride for more than a decade and we’re thrilled that he will continue to represent his state again in 2016.”
Holmes said he was pleased to be able to continue playing for the state he grew up in and remain a one-club player.
“To be honest, it wasn’t a difficult decision to recommit to the club,” he said.
“I’ve played for Queensland my entire career, so I always wanted to continue to play for this jersey. Playing for Queensland is something special and everyone who pulls the jersey on appreciates what it means. We’re representing the entire state and that means a lot to us as players.”
Reds head coach Richard Graham said: “Greg loves the Reds. He has been at Ballymore since 2005 and played more than 130 games in that time. In that sense alone he is an important signing.
“As a tighthead prop he is scrummaging the best he ever has. He has been part of a dominant set piece and it is crucial we continue to have a focus in that area.
“We are developing an excellent group of young props and Greg is an important part of their progression. It will be one of our most competitive areas for selection in 2016.”
The Reds play the Waratahs in Sydney tomorrow in the 300th Rugby Union encounter between the two sides since Queensland and New South Wales first met in 1882.
Greg Holmes
Position: Prop
Height: 187cm
Weight: 114kg
DOB: 11/06/1983
POB: Warwick, QLD
School: Downlands College
Club: Sunnybank
Representative honours: Australia Under 21 (2004), Queensland (2005-), Australia A (2005), Australian Wallabies (2005-), Rugby World Cup (2007), Queensland Country NRC (2014).
Queensland Rugby debut: 2005 v Blues
Queensland Rugby caps: 131
Queensland Rugby points: 40
Super Rugby debut: 2005 v Blues
Super Rugby caps: 129
Super Rugby points: 35
Test Rugby debut: 2005 v France
Test Rugby caps: 13
Test Rugby points: 10 (2T)
Related Posts
« FORCE FINISHES SEASON WITH VICTORY OVER REBELS Queen’s birthday honours for rugby family »
