While last season started so brightly for Jed Holloway, he is determined for this one to finish a whole lot better.
The former Southern Districts captain, who led the club to the 2014 Shute Shield grand final and 2015 semi-finals, has returned to pre-season training with the NSW Waratahs as they prepare for the new Super Rugby season.
Last season was a rollercoaster for Holloway. An explosive, record-setting start in which he became the first substitute to score a hat-trick of tries off the bench saw him become a potential bolter for Wallabies selection. But a shoulder injury suffered in a captain’s run, followed by a brief return against the Crusaders where he reinjured the shoulder, saw him require surgery. His season was over.
But the 24-year-old told the Leader that adversity could steeled him to make 2017 his year.
“It sucked. I won’t beat around the bush. But as you get older you learn that these things happen in rugby. I’ve got enough weapons from the coaching staff to deal with it and family to fall back on for support,” he said.
“As much as the news did suck, needing a shoulder reconstruction to end my season and it leaving a bitter taste in my mouth, it’s made me hungrier this year. It’s focused me this year that I know what I can achieve in Super Rugby. I know what it takes now.”
Holloway retains a strong relationship with Souths having spent a number of his formative rugby years at Forshaw Park. It is those years, where he won Shute Shield Rookie of the Year in 2012, that helped push him to the cusp of international selection.
“Every time I play I want to play my best and if that form does help me get to the next level, that’d be great,” he said.
“It’s been a dream of mine for ages [to represent the Wallabies]. But my main focus is getting my jersey back [at the Waratahs] and back playing to the best of my ability.
“All last year I was down doing a few training sessions [at Souths].
“I knew if I didn’t get further honours I could end up playing for them at the back end of the season. I’m always keen to get back there and play because the club has done a lot for me. My old man played there, I love the coaches there and the guys I’ve played him. I learnt a lot there.”
Holloway and another former Rebel, Waratahs teammate Rob Horne, will be part of the NSW Waratahs Beach Rugby Festival held at North Cronulla on Saturday, featuring a five-a-side beach rugby tournament.
“I think it’s a great concept,” Holloway said.
“It gets the rugby community down to the beach. Southern Districts had a team in there.
“There was chat that we might have to hit the Wanda sand hills [for training] beforehand. I’ve done my fair share of them.”
NSW Waratahs Beach Rugby Festival
North Cronulla Beach, Saturday, 9-3pm
12:30pm - Waratahs legends vs Giants netball
Waratahs legends include Adam Freier, Stephen Hoiles, Simon Kasprowicz, Pat McCutcheon, Nathan Grey, Chris Malone, Tim Rapp
12:30pm - Macquarie Junior Clinic. 150 children from south-west regions have signed up to do a clinic on the beach with current NSW Waratahs
2:15pm - women's grand final beach rugby 5s
2:30pm - men's grand final beach rugby 5s