Prop Harry Johnson-Holmes admits his 100th Super
Rugby cap is a “long time coming” having overcome successive long-term injuries
to bring up triple figures on Saturday.
Pending selection, Johnson-Holmes is in line for his 100th
cap against the Crusaders on Saturday from 7:55pm at HBF Park.
The red-hair bearded front-rower previously notched up 91
caps for the NSW Waratahs before switching to the Force at the back-end of the
2024 season.
But Johnson-Holmes’ start to life in the west was slowed by
an Achilles injury followed by a season-ending ACL injury sustained in the side’s
pre-season game against the ACT Brumbies.
However, he’s returned this season and hasn’t missed a game,
with his 100th now upon him.
“I suppose it’s a long time coming, but then again, most
hundreds probably are,” Johnson-Holmes told reporters on Tuesday.
“I’m not the first man to play 100 Super caps, and I won’t
be the last. It’s about doing all I can for the team.
“It’s a nice personal milestone for myself, I suppose a nod
to longevity and the first one wasn’t a fluke, but it’s another week for us.”
Reflecting on the highlights among his 100 games, having
debuted for the ‘Tahs in 2018, Johnson-Holmes referred to his team-mates and
opponents.
“When you play 100 games, you get the opportunity to rub
elbows with a lot of awesome blokes and great men of the game,” he said.
“For me, it’s reflecting on those boys and how they’ve been
part of my journey.”
Johnson-Holmes remains bullish about the Force’s finals
hopes, despite sitting in 10th with a 2-6 record.
Following last round’s loss in Fiji, the Force don’t travel
outside of Australia for the rest of the regular season, with four out of the
side’s last six games at HBF Park.
“Once we start nailing those last little bits that are going
to get us over the line, momentum is hell of a thing,” Johnson-Holmes said.
“One will turn into two, and two will turn into three and
next thing you’re on a bit of a running streak. It’s just about staying at it.”
For the later 7:55pm kick-off, the Force will put on a range
of entertainment in a flashback to the Global Rapid Rugby days, with fireworks,
pyrotechnics, a saxophonist, DJs and a bucking bull among the activities for ‘Party
At The Park’.
Fans on Field will return for the first time this season and
take place after the game. Tickets are sale from $28 for adults and $22 for
students via Ticketmaster.