WALLABIES legend Phil Kearns believes Harry Johnson-Holmes is well equipped to develop into a world-class front-rower and singled out the flamed-haired Novocastrian as the perfect man to anchor the Waratahs scrum.
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Johnson-Holmes, who had a virus and missed the Tahs' 43-25 loss to the Crusaders in the Super Rugby season opener, will start at tighthead against the Blues at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
"I'm expecting big things from him this week," said Kearns, who played 73 Tests and won two World Cup for the Wallabies and is a commentator for Fox Sports. "He has shown that he has the strength and the maturity in his game, despite being a young player, to develop into a world-class prop.
"I have obviously watched a lot of him play through the Waratahs, watching their training sessions and commentating on their games.
"He is impressive and it is not just his scrummaging.
"His work rate around the park is good, he gets over the ball pretty well and reads the game well. He set up a couple of tries last year as well and put the ball through the hands.
"When you see front-rowers doing that stuff, you know they have something."
Johnson-Holmes played his opening 33 games of Super Rugby for the Waratahs at loosehead, culminating with a Wallabies debut against the Springboks at Ellis Park last July. However, he has switched to the other side of the Tahs scrum to cover the the departure of 100-test veteran Sekope Kepu.
"It was a conversation that started at the end of last season," Johnson-Holmes said. "We did the calculations and worked out that we were going to have a pretty strong loose contingent and we might struggle having lost a few tightheads, especially Sekope Kepu.
"I wouldn't say knowing early made the job any easier. I had put in so much effort around my set piece at loose head and getting consistency there. There have been a lot of tough days at the office for me. It has been a battle scrummaging at training some days. Just learning new roles. Even the lineout, working at the back, was a bit new to me.
"It was frustrating at times but I was able to work on some different problem-solving aspects," Johnson-Holmes said. "I have a better feel on where things are going wrong and what I have to fix up. That is the benefit of having good loosehead stocks. I was going up against talent every day. I'm definitely ready and pretty excited for the challenge."
Superstars Michael Hooper and Kurtley Beale will spearhead the Tahs' charge against the Blues, but Johnson-Holmes has a crucial role against a rugged Auckland pack.
"The Blues took it to the Chiefs pretty hard around the scrum and that is something we have to try and nullify," he said. "We had some great set piece battles through the pre-season. We went well against the Highlanders and against a pretty good Reds pack. We are well tested.
"If we can take that weapon away from the Blues it will go a long way to releasing our backs and giving them good attacking opportunities. Will Harrison has a tremendously tough gig starting at 10 for us at 20 years of age. As a tighthead prop, if I can give him some front-foot ball it will make his job a lot easier.
A Wanderers junior, it will be the second time Johnson-Holmes has played for the Tahs on home soil.
"We put so much importance on this game because it is our first home game," he said. "We want to put an emphasis on relishing our opportunities to play home games. We would like to think we will have a pretty passionate supporter group in Newcastle.
"We treasure these home games because we are taking them on the road. We want to utilise the fact we are going to places where they don't get a regular amount of Super Rugby games. Hopefully people get behind us. The responsibility is on us to treasure those home games and get the job done."
Though proud to be playing at home and assume the job of tour leader, the Merewether High graduate said it will be strictly business on game day.
"I'm not too concerned on who is in the stands or anything like that," he said. "I am focused on getting my job done. Apart from the boys getting stuck into me about copping media attention when we go to Newcastle once a year, it is not about me, it is about the team."
Johnson-Holmes turns 23 next month and will need a strong Super Rugby campaign to get back in the frame for the Wallabies' opening Test against Ireland at Suncorp Stadium on July 4.
"We used to think that props would mature around the age of 28," Kearns said. "They are probably maturing at age 25-26 these days. He is still a fair way off his best. He has some size and he will put on strength. The basics are there. His technique is good and if you can build on the technique with strength then he will play a lot more internationals."
