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Emirates Western Force coach Richard Graham has added the experience and talent of Australian scrumhalf Josh Holmes to the club’s roster for the remainder of the 2012 FxPro Super Rugby season.
Holmes has most recently been playing in France with Bourgoin but racked up 46 caps in five years at the Waratahs and Brumbies from 2007 to 2011.
He joins the Emirates Western Force as a replacement for injured youngster Justin Turner.
Graham said he is delighted to have secured a player of Holmes’ quality and proven ability at the top level as a halfback, while the 25 year old also possesses the versatility to make a contribution in other positions in the backs.
“In making a number of changes through injuries to our inside backs the one thing I was looking for was a talented player who is Super Rugby ready. Josh, having played nearly 50 games at this level, certainly fits those criteria,” Graham said.
“Josh is an experienced player and will enjoy the way that we’re playing. Helping him settle quickly is the fact that he is familiar to a number of the boys having played club rugby or Super Rugby with them at other franchises.
“I expect he’ll fit very well into the organisation.
“While we’ve brought him here as a halfback, with the way that injury is trending we were looking for someone to be able to cover one or two positions if necessary and with his physical presence Josh has the ability, if required, to play elsewhere in the inside backs.”
Holmes will arrive in Perth tomorrow and be available for consideration to take part in the club’s home clash against the Chiefs on Friday night.
Josh Holmes
Position: Scrumhalf
Date of birth: 6/1/1987 (age 25)
Place of birth: Newport, NSW
Height: 187cm
Weight: 94kg
FxPro Super Rugby caps: 46 (Waratahs 20, Brumbies 26)
FxPro Super Rugby points: 40 (Waratahs 25 (5t), Brumbies 15 (3t))
FxPro Super Rugby debut: Week 10, 2007 v Brumbies (Waratahs)
Honours: 2006 IRB International U19 Player of the Year