Its movie stuff - Dutch-born Holland to make All Blacks debut

Fabian Holland grew up in the Netherlands with All Blacks posters on his wall

New Zealand coach Scott Robertson has described Fabian Hollands rise as "movie stuff" as the Dutch-born lock prepares to make his All Blacks debut against France on Saturday.

The 22-year-old is one of four uncapped players in the starting XV to face Les Bleus in the first Test at Dunedin.

Holland watched the All Blacks sevens team train in his hometown of Castricum in the Netherlands in 2014 aged 11 and moved to New Zealand five years later to pursue his dream of playing professional rugby.

"Hes pretty excited. From Zeeland to New Zealand," Robertson said on Thursday.

"Hes come a long way. Its a great story. Pretty single-minded from a kid to make that call to come over and represent another country in a game he loves - and he saw the All Blacks as the ultimate.

"Its movie stuff, isnt it?"

Holland met All Blacks sevens captain DJ Forbes and Akira Ioane when they trained at Castricum Rugby Club, where he had played since the age of five.

"As soon as I was on the field I was a different little boy, to be honest," Holland said in an interview in 2021, external.

"I developed more and more passion about rugby and there are not a lot of countries like New Zealand when it comes to passion about rugby.

"I always dreamed of coming but it never felt real for me. When I was 16 I got the opportunity to come to New Zealand and Ive been living the dream every day. I still have to pinch myself that its real."

Holland initially arrived in New Zealand for a six-month spell at Christchurch Boys High School but his rise has been rapid.

He started on a developmental contract with the Highlanders in 2021 and signed a professional deal with the Super Rugby side the following year.

On Saturday he will line up alongside his former Otago and Highlanders team-mate Christian Lio-Willie, who is also set to make his All Blacks debut.

Robertson said it was fitting that Hollands first cap would come at Forsyth Barr Stadium, home of the Highlanders.

"Im sure Fabians Highlanders supporters, and Christians Otago fans, will be out in full force," Robertson said.