Tubby Holden

A. W. Holden was considered unlucky to miss selection for the 1928 All Blacks' tour of South Africa. He was a fine halfback on both attack and defence. From all positions he sent the ball out like a flash. He varied his play well, himself often making clever dashes.

His ability was recognised by the national selectors in 1928 when New Zealand was host to a team from New South Wales, by then known as the Waratahs. Holden played in tests against the Waratahs and was paired with his Varsity club first five-eighth, N. M. Bradanovich.

Holden was in the Varsity A team for three seasons, 1926-27-28. He represented Otago in the same three seasons and played for New Zealand University in 1927 and for South Island in 1928.

Profile courtesy University of Otago R F C.

An old boy of Otago Boys High (1st XV 1923,24) "Tubby" Holden shifted to Invercargill in 1929 to take up a teaching appointment. Playing for the Star club he represented Southland 1929,30,32, the South Island again in 1929 and had a further All Black trial in 1930 (he had also been a triallist in 1927).

Profile by Bob Luxford
for the New Zealand Rugby Museum.