Now he is officially a cover star.
Holland features on the cover of the 2026 Rugby Almanack.
He is the first Highlanders player to get that treasured spot since . . . well, since the great Aaron Smith was on the cover just two years ago.
Holland is an apt choice by the editors — Rugby News editor Campbell Burnes, Adrian Hill and newcomer John Lea — of the bible of New Zealand rugby that was first published in 1995.
The Highlanders and Otago lock became the first Dutch-born All Black when he made his test debut against France at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
He had such an impact in his debut international season he was named World Rugby breakthrough player of the year.
Holland was an easy selection in the almanack’s 2025 New Zealand XV.
‘‘The emergence of Fabian Holland at test level was an undoubted highlight of the season and a long career beckons for the 23-year-old,’’ the editors write.
Holland is joined in the XV by Highlanders team-mate Ethan de Groot.
They appear alongside front-rowers Fletcher Newell and Codie Taylor, lock Scott Barrett, loose forwards Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea and Peter Lakai, and backs Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan.
The bench consists of Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett and Leicester Fainga’anuku.
Holland was also named one of the publication’s five players of the year alongside Taylor (third time), Savea (sixth), Roigard (second) and Quinn Tupaea.
Other Highlanders mentioned in dispatches in the team of the year section are fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (‘‘demonstrated his value straight away’’), winger Caleb Tangitau (‘‘an All Black sooner rather than later’’), second five Timoci Tavatavanawai, halfback Folau Fakatava and loose forwards Sean Withy and TK Howden.
Southland first five Mika Muliaina is named one of the almanack’s five promising players.
He is joined by Waikato lock Dylan Eti, Bay of Plenty winger Kele Lasaqa, Auckland utility back Cohen Norrie and Tasman hooker Eli Oudenryn.
Black Ferns halfback Maia Joseph is the only Otago Spirit player named in the Almanack’s women’s XV.
Joseph is listed on the bench behind Bay of Plenty halfback Risi Pouri-Lane.
Breakthrough star Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Waikato hooker Grace Houpapa-Barrett and the great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe are named women’s players of the year.
The almanack runs to a record 560 pages and includes the usual range of results, records, statistics and happenings from another busy year of New Zealand rugby.
- The 2026 Rugby Almanack (Upstart Press) is in stores now.
