Holmes made his Super 12 debut for the Reds in 2005 playing the
Auckland Blues in
Auckland. After having a strong debut season, Holmes found himself getting a callup to the
Wallabies squad to tour Europe. He made his Australian debut against
France in
Marseille. Holmes came off the bench in Australia's loss to
England at
Twickenham, where the English overpowered the Wallabies with their scrummaging. He was included in
John Connolly's Wallabies side to face England at
Telstra Stadium. In the return match against the English, Australia won 34 to 3. In 2006, Holmes scored a remarkable try against the Irish, running over 60 metres to touch down. He also scored in Australia's 49-0 victory over South Africa, this time scoring a try more akin to a prop by smashing through three South African would-be tacklers. In 2011, Holmes was included in Wallabies squad. Holmes announced on 21 December 2015 that he would be calling time on his Wallabies career and joining
Aviva Premiership side
Exeter Chiefs for the 2016/17 season on a two-year deal. He later signed for the
Western Force ahead of the 2020
Super Rugby AU season before being recalled to the national squad for a Test against
Argentina in the
2021 Rugby Championship at the age of 38, making him the oldest Wallaby to make the side since
World War II. ==References==