Zack Holmes

Zack Holmes (born 30 May 1990) is an Australian rugby union player who plays for Toulouse in Top 14. He is a utility back who has played Fly-half and at centre.

Zack Holmes

Birth name	Zack Holmes
Date of birth	30 May 1990
Place of birth	Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	87 kg (13 st 10 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half/Centre Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Associates (WA) () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2014 2015−2017 2017– Perth Spirit La Rochelle Toulouse 10 48 47 (80) (418) (173) Correct as of 19 May 2019 Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 2012–13 2014–15 Brumbies Western Force 10 22 (79) (44) Correct as of 31 October 2015

Early career

The ARU lists Holmes' Representative Honours as including WA Schools (2007) and Combined States (2007).[1] He played for the Australian Sevens[2] at the USA Sevens tournament in Las Vegas, and he was a member the Australian 2009–10 IRB Sevens squad that played in George and Dubai.[1]

Holmes grew up in Perth. His father Graeme, a New Zealander and former Waikato halfback,[1] encouraged his son in sports. In addition to rugby union Holmes also played Australian rules and soccer.[3] He said his three biggest rugby influences were his Dad, Michael O'Connor and Scott Fava.[3]

In 2003 he held the national title for the 400 metres in his age-group.[1]

In late 2010 he was selected as part of the Perth XV to play teams from Victoria and South Australia in the Southern State Championships.[4]

Holmes studied at Aquinas College and the University of WA[1] and played club rugby at Associates RUFC before he moved from Perth to Sydney where he played senior rugby for Northern Suburbs at centre, on the wing, and also at full back.[3][5] In 2011 Holmes broke the Norths record for the 'most points in a single season'.

Professional career

Holmes joined the Western Force academy in 2009.[1]

In 2011 the Brumbies recruited Holmes as a 'utility back', and he performed well in a trial game in October.[6] He had been at Norths, in Sydney.[7] Holmes had signed a two-year contract with the Brumbies to commence 2012.[8] He made his debut in March, as substitute for wing Joseph Tomane, against the Chiefs at Baypark Stadium in Mount Maunganui.[9]

As "rookie fly-half"[10] he made his Brumbies run-on debut, in Wellington against the Hurricanes, in May. He had been selected as a No.10 replacement for the injured Christian Lealiifano.[11] As first-receiver Holmes helped guide the Brumbies to a 37–25 victory over the Hurricanes.[12][13][14] He kicked four conversions (from 4 attempts) and three penalty goals (from 4 attempts) and scored a try in the 69th minute.[15]

He returned to the Force for the 2014 Super Rugby season on a two-year deal.[16]

On 16 July 2015, Holmes left Western Force in Australia to join France Top 14 club La Rochelle on a two-year contract from the 2015-16 season.[17] On 14 December 2016, Holmes signed for French rivals Toulouse from the 2017-18 season.[18]

Super Rugby statistics

As of 14 June 2015

Season	Team	Games	Starts	Sub	Mins	Tries	Cons	Pens	Drops	Points	Yel	Red
2012	Brumbies	8	6	2	518	2	8	16	0	74	0	0
2013	Brumbies	2	0	2	30	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
2014	Force	12	4	8	408	1	2	3	0	18	0	0
2015	Force	10	6	4	525	0	4	6	0	26	0	0
Total		32	16	16	1481	4	14	25	0	123	0	0

References

1. ARU Profile
2. Dutton, Chris (29 February 2012). "Holmes says it's sevens heaven for young guns chasing rugby glory". Brisbane Times. Fairfax. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
3. Norths, 10 questions with Zack-Holmes
4. RugbyWA Media (26 August 2010). "Perth XV selected". Western Force. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
5. "Brumbies profile".
6. "Holmes sets the pace".
7. "Norths, AJ misses Out".
8. "Holmes signs with Brumbies".
9. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 29-22 Brumbies". South African Rugby Union. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
10. AAP (18 May 2012). "Brumbies blow past Hurricanes in Wellington". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
11. "Brumbies name Lealiifano replacement".
12. "Records tumble as Brumbies bust Wellington hoodoo" (Press release). Brumbies.
13. ABC (20 May 2012). "Brumbies gallop back to silence Hurricanes". Sports News. ABC. Reuters. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
14. Harris, Bret (19 May 2012). "Brumbies find a new play-making star in form of Zack Holmes". The Australian. News. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
15. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Hurricanes 25-37 Brumbies". South African Rugby Union. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
16. "Western Force agree two-year deal with utility back Zack Holmes". Sky Sports. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
17. "La Rochelle sign Australian fly-half Holmes". MSN. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
18. "Toulouse sign fly-half Zack Holmes from La Rochelle". Sky Sports. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2017.

External links

• Brumbies profile