Just in case you missed reading the Otago Daily Times article it has been copied here.

Surreal for Holland to join Pledger in NZ school side

Quinten Holland has had to leave a lot behind to chase his rugby dreams — his mum and dad, his home, his country and let’s not forget about chocolate sprinkles.

The Dutch love that stuff.

But going by the smile on his face yesterday, it has been worth it.

The giant Dutch lock-cum-loose forward has been named in the New Zealand Schools team.

He will join King’s High School team-mate and halfback Dylan Pledger and Southland Boys’ High School winger Kiseki Fifita in the side.

Pledger, 18, made the side last year as well, but this time the year 13 pupil will have a team-mate along for the journey.

And what a journey it has been for Holland. The 18-year-old followed older brother Fabian Holland out to New Zealand to chase his dreams of one day playing professional rugby, and he appears to be on the right track.

Fabian Holland has already carved out a niche for himself with Otago and the Highlanders and his brother has the potential to join him.

Quinten Holland arrived in New Zealand in July last year. He grew up watching Super Rugby — he was a Chiefs fan which is unforgivable — and playing the oval-ball game in the football-mad village of Castricum near Amsterdam.

"This is a childhood dream and it is quite surreal to be selected for something like this," he said.

"It [the move here] has been great to be honest. I love learning about new cultures and I think I’ve adapted really well.

"I’m still learning, obviously. I’m still a bit fresh here."

Pledger said he was thrilled to make the team again this year. He missed some games through injury, so was not sure whether he had done enough.

"It is way more exciting this time, because last year I went by myself and I was probably a bit nervous. This time I’ve got Quinten to come along."

The last time King’s had two pupils in the New Zealand Schools side was in 1997 when Carl Hayman and Tom Willis made the team.

Both Willis and Hayman when on to play for the All Blacks and the class of 2023 have the same dreams.

Otago Daily Times 13 September 2023 copied with permission