All Blacks second-row Fabian Holland has been named the World Rugby breakthrough player of the year.
The 23-year-old becomes the sixth Kiwi to scoop the award since its inauguration in 2015, following in the footsteps of team-mate Wallace Sititi, who took home the award last year.
The Dutch-born Highlander beat England and British and Irish Lions flanker Henry Pollock, South Africa’s Ethan Hooker and Australia’s Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i to claim the prize.
Since making his debut against France in July, the 6 ft 8 in forward has become a mainstay in the All Blacks’ engine room, earning his 12th cap in the 52-26 victory over Wales today at the Principality Stadium.
The win in Cardiff brought Holland’s season to an end, which has been crowned with this award.
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“Fabian’s story is like something out of a movie,” said All Blacks boss Scott Robertson.
“He has grown up in the Netherlands dreaming of playing for a team on the other side of the world, taken the brave move to shift to New Zealand at the age of 16, and then made his dream a reality. None of this is by chance or luck, Fabian works incredibly hard to meet his goals and is one of the most determined and focused players I have come across. It is that work ethic that will see him continue to succeed.
“We are just so proud of him and so pleased for him and his family to receive this special acknowledgement of what he has achieved this year.”
