| Birth name | Martin Rowan Holah | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | (1976-09-10)10 September 1976 (age 48) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Hamilton, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 101 kg (15 st 13 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | St John's College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Martin Rowan "Marty" Holah (born 10 September 1976 inHamilton, New Zealand) is aNew Zealand rugby union player, who has played forWelsh regional sideOspreys, theWaikato provincial team and theChiefsSuper Rugby franchise. Holah wascapped in 36 international test matches for the New Zealand national team, theAll Blacks. Holah's contribution to the All Black starting XV was blocked by the emergence ofRichie McCaw, the former All Black captain.[1]
The Waikatoflanker first made his debut for the All Blacks on 16 June 2001 againstSamoa atAlbany. He is known for his ability to steal the ball in thetackle. Holah was instrumental in theNZ Māori's defeat of theBritish & Irish Lions during the2005 tour at his home ground,Waikato Stadium.
In 2006, Holah was named in the unfamiliar position of blind-side flanker for theIreland Test in Hamilton, his first start in the All Black jersey since 2004.[citation needed]
On 14 August 2007, it was announced that Holah had signed a two-year contract with theCeltic League champions, theOspreys.[2] He enjoyed his time there, later signing a one-season extension on his contract. In the 2009/10 season he was named Ospreys' Coaches Player of the Year, having been named Man of the Match against theLeicester Tigers in a must-winHeineken Cupmatch with a heroic individual defensive display, which he reproduced multiple times in helping the Ospreys to lift the Magners League title that year.[citation needed]
On 18 April 2011 it was announced Holah would return home to play for Waikato in the2011 ITM Cup.[3] Holah became a regular member of the starting side.[citation needed]