HARRY Johnson-Holmes wants to step up to a senior role at the NSW Waratahs after the Newcastle front-rower signed a two-year extension with the Super Rugby powerhouse on Tuesday.
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Continuing a whirlwind two years, the freshly minted Wallaby has committed to the Tahs until the end of the 2022 campaign.
"I'm ahead of schedule in terms of where I did realistically see myself at this point," the 22-year-old said. "It's about me not resting on my laurels and ensuring that I keep getting better with each opportunity."
A former Australian schoolboy, Johnson-Holmes made his Super Rugby debut for the Tahs at age 20 in 2018 and was famously tucking into a $8 schnitty at his local pub when summoned to South Africa for his Test debut in July.
"Last year was a great experience where I was able to get more minutes for the Waratahs, and to be able to debut [for the Wallabies] was incredible," Johnson-Holmes said. "For me it's not being complacent about the last 24 months, it's about the next 24 months and continuing to develop and contribute to the Waratahs and hopefully the national team."
Johnson-Holmes, a base guitarist in indie rock band Geography of Mars while at Merewether High School, earned notoriety in his rookie season with the Tahs for belting out a tune at almost every rugby function.
Now, having 33 Super Rugby caps to his name and with the departure of 100-plus Test veteran Sekope Kefu to English club London Irish, Johnson-Holmes and Tom Robertson are the senior front-rowers in the Waratahs squad.
"The next stepping stone is to develop my maturity around the game. It will be my third year in the program and I'd love to be able to take on a bit more of a leadership role," Johnson Holmes said. "Not be the idiot up the back singing karaoke but be up the front of the bus driving."
That may also involve a new position.
Johnson-Holmes and Robertson, who has 24 Wallaby caps, have both trained at tighthead during the pre-season.
"We are tinkering with the combinations at the moment," Johnson-Holmes said.
The Waratahs, who open their 2020 home campaign against the Blues in Newcastle on February 8, are in the process of appointing a new coach.
The Tahs are also expected to bring in fresh players as they look to return to the finals after an underwhelming 2019 season in which they finished 12th.
"Every year, every team wants to win a premiership," Johnson-Holmes said. "That is not the thing that makes you a special team. It's not necessarily the desire because every team has it, it is how you go about it. What is your point of difference and how are you achieving it. That is the exciting thing for us having a new set of players coming in and a new coach. It is a different scope on the game and how we go about getting our leading edge and taking out the 2020 premiership."
Johnson-Holmes has been with the Waratahs since he finished school in 2015.
"I was lucky that the Tahs took me on board so early," he said. "They game me the opportunity as a Newcastle boy to go down and train, get exposed to that next level within the 'generation blue' program. I've had so much help along the way. I have a long list of debts to repay and the Waratahs are at the top."
Before linking with Sydney University, where he is studying economics and has won the past two Shute Shield titles, Johnson-Holmes won a Newcastle colts premiership with Wanderers in 2015.
His younger brother Jack, a back-rower, is in the Wanderers first-grade side which takes on Hamilton in the grand final at Newcastle's No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
Harry will be in camp with the Country Eagles in Port Macquarie ahead of the clash with the Western Force on Sunday. However, he will be in Newcastle on Wednesday where he is a special guest at the Merewether High sports assembly.
"I'll catch up with Jack while I'm home, but he doesn't really need any words from me," Harry said. "He is internally motivated. He said he wanted to play first grade this year and he has done that at 19 so he is doing pretty well.."
Apart from his brother playing, Johnson-Holmes has retained close ties with Wanderers.
"I caught up with Dan Beckett (coach) after he accepted the role," Johnson Holmes said. "He asked if I would be interested in a having a yarn and I was happy to pass on any advice that I'd picked up from a professional program. We have had a few chats since. He has a group of blokes who are willing to throw the kitchen sink at everything and they have gotten results."
