Nigel Colin Holt

Nigel Holt was an abrasive, rugged, no-nonsense and aggressive lock forward whose career was tragically shortened due to injury. At an imposing 193cms and 107kgs Holt was a formidable prospect who did not take a backward step. Born in the far-west Queensland town of Winton, Holt was educated at Brisbane’s Anglican Church of England Grammar School where he played in the 1st XV and from there was selected in the Australian Schools team of 1978.As Holt came through Churchie and aged representative rugby he caught the eye of Queensland coach Bob Templeton. When Peter McLean was unavailable for the Red’s 1982 tour of New Zealand, Templeton called on Holt as his replacement and the big middle-rower made his State debut against Hawkes Bay at Napier.

In 1983 national coach Bob Dwyer was on the lookout for height in the lineout and Holt was a surprise inclusion for the Wallaby tour to Italy and France where he served an apprenticeship behind the first choice locks David Hillhouse and Steve Williams. The following year Holt was named in the Wallaby squad for the short three match tour of Fiji and with neither Williams nor Hillhouse in the squad he made his Test debut in Suva.

Holt played strongly but was relegated to the reserves for the first Test against the All Blacks in Sydney. Nonetheless his form ensured he was selected on the ‘Grand Slam’ tour to the U.K. and Ireland at the end of the year. In 1985 disaster struck as Holt suffered a succession of knee injuries that ruined his next two seasons. Nigel Holt played one Test for Australia and will forever be Wallaby #641.

Highlights

1982

Represented Australian U21s against Fiji U21 (47-4) at Ballymore and New Zealand U21 (36-12) at the S.C.G.

1984

Holt won his first Test cap at lock alongside fellow debutant Bill Campbell in the 16-3, one-off Test victory over Fiji in Suva.