The Otago Spirit jersey has always been close to Hollows’ heart, even as a youngster playing Rippa rugby in Balclutha.
Representing Otago was always the dream and the hooker has been one of the Spirit’s very best across her 69 games in 11 seasons.
"I never take it for granted. Every time I get to pull on the jersey I’m grateful and play like it could be my last game."
But her love for the Spirit goes further than the game on the pitch.
"I just have made some of the best mates that I’ll have for the rest of my life through the team.
"Every year I say one more year and I’m just not quite ready to give it up because of the connections you get with all the girls.
"I’ve had some amazing coaches that have helped me a lot as well."
Eleven seasons are packed full of memories, but her opening game still remains high, debuting alongside her now great mates Eilis Doyle — still packing down beside Hollows in the front row — and Kate Smith.
"That was our first year for Otago and the three of us are still very close friends now so it was pretty special looking back," Hollows said.
But nothing can top beating Hawke’s Bay 24-20 in the Farah Palmer Cup Championship final at Forsyth Barr Stadium in 2019 to be elevated to the top-tier Premiership.
"That was amazing. That was the best feeling. Now we’ve just been chasing that feeling for the last few years."
The Spirit, who play in the Championship, are off to a good start going unbeaten in their opening four games and Hollows would love another shot at the Premiership.
"I really, really want to feel like that again. It was just unreal.
"I think this team deserves it as well — we’ve really bonded this year."
Connection is a key theme that comes through for the Spirit and Hollows believes it is those relationships that make the team special.
They are packed with country and town players — including Hollows who travels from South Otago — and some players travel from as far as Kurow and Invercargill.
"They obviously love the team to commit to that.
"We’ve never been a team full of show ponies. Obviously we’ve had some amazing players, we have, but when we come together, we play for each other.
"We’re not trying to just go out there and play for ourselves and make ourselves look better.
"We want the whole team to look good and people put their body on the line for each other — I think that’s something really special about this team."
Hollows, who also plays for Matatū in Super Rugby Aupiki, is rapt the Spirit are celebrating 25 years this season.
Otago Rugby is hosting a reunion when the Spirit host Taranaki on Saturday.
"I keep thinking in 25 years’ time ... I’ll be well and truly done by then," she laughed.
"I’ll be able to sit in the stands with the mates I’ve made now, and have a few beers, and watch the game together.
"I’m stoked. It’s such a cool team.
"It’ll be cool to chat with some older players because they’ve obviously paved the way for us and they’ve done a lot."
The Spirit play a crucial role for women’s rugby in the region and Hollows hoped they left an impact on the next generation.
"The little girls don’t just have the Highlanders, or the Otago men’s, to look up to.
"They’ve got this team — and I think that’s what we’re all about.
"We’re trying to get out to our community as much as we can ... anything to build the women’s growth, because we want people playing rugby.
"We want this team to be around forever."
