Rats come first for Josh Holmes for rest of the season

WARRINGAH’S star halfback Josh Holmes will sacrifice the chance to play Super Rugby again this season and put all his efforts into the Rats.

Warringah halfback Josh Holmes on the attack against Eastwood. Picture: Watson Karen

WARRINGAH’S star halfback Josh Holmes will sacrifice the chance to play Super Rugby again this season and put all his efforts into the Rats premiership campaign.

The classy No.9 returned from a three –week deal with the Melbourne Rebels to play in Saturday’s 41-24 loss to Eastwood at TG Millner Field on Saturday.

In a big boost for his club side Holmes will not be returning to Melbourne this season.

“I want to stay at the Rats and rip in for the next seven weeks,” Holmes told the Manly Daily.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/young-rats-become-emus-for-all-the-right-reasons/story-fngr8iii-1226941720616

His decision is a real vote of confidence in his teammates and illustrates the spirit that has developed at the club under the leadership of coach Haig Sare.

“We are in a very good position and have never been nine(wins) and two (losses) in the last five years,” Holmes said.

Warringah Rats halfback Josh Holmes has committed to the Rats.

“I just think it is a great opportunity for us to build some success and |I want to be part of that.”

Holmes enjoyed his time at the Rebels and would definitely consider any Super Rugby opportunities that may present themselves for next year.

“It would be great to have a crack again, I felt a lot more comfortable this year when I was playing Super Rugby,” he said.

Holmes has been one of the form players in the Sydney premiership over the past season and and a half and adds a new dimension to the Warringah side when he is on the field.

Saturday’s game was the Rats second loss of the season and they were down 20-3 at halftime after their worst 40 minutes of the season.

Warringah Rats winger Harry Jones scored a try against Eastwood.

After the break they did show character to fight back and trail 27-24.

“We just gave them too many points in the first half, you can’t do that especially against Eastwood at Eastwood – it ,” Holmes said.

“We have just been doing what we need to in the past few weeks and it was a good wake-up call.

“I think we kicked into another gear in the second half and that will put us in good stead going forward.”

Holmes brother Luke, the Warringah captain and hooker was a standout on Saturday and backrower Slammin’ Sam Ward made a big impact off the bench.