He has a giant step, to be fair.
The towering Highlanders lock headed north yesterday to assemble with Scott Robertson’s crew as he counts down the days to, ideally, making his fairytale test debut at Forsyth Barr Stadium as the first Dutch-born All Black.
"I’m feeling really good," Holland told the Otago Daily Times before his departure.
"I’m excited to get stuck in. A massive step has been made towards my dream, which is to contribute to this jersey and leave a bit of me in there.
"I strive to be up there with people like Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock. That’s the real dream — to leave my blood, sweat and tears in that jersey and contribute."
Holland was a youngster when he saw a Dutch-born player, Tim Visser, play against the All Blacks in 2012.
Now the lad from Castricum, near Amsterdam, who grew up obsessed with New Zealand rugby is on the verge of completing a remarkable story.
"It’s pretty cool. It’s always been a massive goal and a dream of mine to get to this point.
"There were a lot of times where I thought this is something that is impossible.
"With the close people around me, family and friends, I managed to be able to stick it through. I wouldn’t be here without them. They’ve played a massive part in the journey.
"For me, this is just a step towards that bigger goal. It’s definitely a chance to say, wow, if you work hard for it and share the love for the game, things become reality and become touchable."
Holland would cherish a chance to make his test debut against France on his home ground next Saturday.
"That would be awesome but I’ve got to earn my spot in the 23.
"When the opportunity is given, I’ll do my best.
"How good would it be if it was under the roof? That’s for me where it started. I was 18 years old and stepped over the line with Otago against Taranaki, and I made my debut there with the Highlanders in 2022 against the Blues.
"I owe them everything, especially the Highlanders. They’ve wanted me in their family since I was 17 or 18 years old. They mean everything to me.
"To be able to potentially debut there would be a special moment."
He could have some Highlanders company, too.
Holland is delighted to be preparing for his All Blacks debut with established prop Ethan de Groot and fellow rookie Timoci "Jim" Tavatavanawai.
"Jim deserves it more than anyone else because he’s had two years where he’s consistently been one of the best players in the competition," Holland said.
"You see the massive things he does on TV, bumping off people and getting turnovers. It’s a lot of the unseen work, the leadership, the things he puts his body through to play 80 minutes.
"Ethan is the caretaker of everyone. For me, he’s like a big brother.
"When I came into the environment when I was 18, he took me under his wing. He taught me some hard lessons, stuck by me and developed a great relationship.
"He was probably one of the people I couldn’t tell [about All Blacks selection] that I really wanted to tell. As soon as I could, I got him on FaceTime and got to tell him.
"To continue this journey together with him and Jim is pretty special."
Holland has encountered French opposition before.
He played for the Netherlands at under-18 level against a Toulouse academy team.
Having mum Margot, on holiday from the Netherlands, and little brother Quinten, who also lives in Dunedin, with him when he got the good news from Robertson was special.
"Unbelievable. Great timing.
"And even to give my old man a phone call at 1.30am at his place. He woke up and was like, ‘What’s going on?’ I told him I just got good news.
"He was quiet for about 20 seconds. Then he hung up and called me the next morning and he was like, ‘Did I dream?’ He was stoked as well. Unbelievable moment."
Holland was unsure if his dad, Reinout, could make it out for the French series, while sister Franka has her own rugby commitments as she is on the verge of the Dutch women’s squad.
