NSW Waratahs lock Jed Holloway has re-signed with the club until the end of the 2023 season.
Holloway returned to the club this season after a stint in Japan with Toyota Verblitz, making an instant impact on the youthful squad.
The 29-year-old has stepped up as one of the key leaders and drivers behind their success in 2022, named in Dave Rennie's first Wallaby squad of 2022.
After experiencing a career revival over the past six months, Holloway called the decision a 'no-brainer', looking to guide them to a top-four finish.
“For me, it was a no-brainer, I think the development I’ve shown coming back in DC’s (Darren Coleman) system and the culture that he’s built around the place was something that was too good to turn down,” Holloway said.
“My time abroad was a good lesson for me, I learned a lot about what type of player and teammate I want to be, and the direction I want to take my career.
“My family loves Sydney, I’m a proud New South Welshman, and I love this club and my time here is something that I really cherish.
“To see the direction and potential of where the team is going is something I want to be a part of and to be there at the start line of all of that, I think it would be a silly decision to choose to go anywhere else.”
Holloway has admitted in the past he initially left on bad terms with the club and even coach Darren Coleman himself, however, looms as one of the key pieces to their future.
Coleman, who coached Holloway in NRC before his return to the Waratahs, believes this shows his growth on and off the field as he edges closer to a call-up for the England series.
“Sometimes life is about keeping an open mind and rugby is full of really good redemption stories,” Coleman explained.
“Jed by his own admission didn’t leave here on the greatest of notes and even personally, the last time I coached Jed we didn’t finish the season with the best of relationships.
“How Jed has come back into this group and what he’s contributed and what he’ll continue to contribute for us we can’t put a value on. He’s been an amazing man, mentor, and leader, and one of the single most important factors in our turnaround this season.
“I usually don’t give advice to the Wallaby coaching staff but Jed Holloway needs to become a Wallaby this year, that’s how good he’s been."
