Secret past of Waratahs young cult hero Harry Johnson-Holmes

AS a young prop, Harry Johnson-Holmes is hoping to make a name for himself in Australian rugby using the dark arts. But the rookie Waratah has already begun to build a cult-figure profile courtesy of his “dark past”.

AS a young prop, Harry Johnson-Holmes is hoping to make a name for himself in Australian rugby using the dark arts.

But the rookie Waratah has already begun to build a cult-figure profile courtesy of his “dark past”.

Johnson-Holmes, the flame-haired 21-year-old known as HJH, has been belting out tunes at almost every rugby function he’s invited. If there’s a stage and microphone, before long Johnson-Holmes has been cajoled up to sing. And pretty well, too.

“I opened up to the team earlier in the season and let them know of my dark past of being in a band in Newcastle,” Johnson-Holmes explains.

“I played bass guitar, at local venues. I didn’t even sing that much. But it turned into: “Oh, you have to sing a couple of songs.” I have just stitched myself up.”

Harry Johnson-Holmes in action during a training session in Sydney.

The band was Geography of Mars - a trio of Newcastle teenagers with “indie rock” haircuts, Triple J unearthed entries and a loyal following. Johnson-Holmes, then at Merewether High, played bass guitar and he can also play double-bass and violin. So much for front rowers being only piano shifters.

“It’s behind me now,” Johnson-Holmes joked. “I am on the straight and now just focussing on my footy.”

He’s now a 111kg front rower but notoriety hasn’t taken long to come for HJH in his formative footy career, either.

After being promoted into the Waratahs senior squad this season, the former Australian under 20s prop helped the Tahs draw against the Stormers by coming off the bench and delivering the last pass to Ned Hanigan for an 81st-minute try.

Harry Johnson-Holmes celebrates with fans after the Tahs won in round two.

“I felt prepared. Training alongside some of the world’s best scrummagers, and with the likes of Simon Cron as our scrummaging coach, I felt confident going into it,” Johnson-Holmes said.

“It was tough but it was good to see I came out of it in one-piece, and with my back still in the same shape.”

Since then he’s held his bench spot and come on against the Sharks, Jaguares and the Rebels; who all have strong packs.

Next up is the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night, and there’ll be no let up with more Test rivals in Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa.

Like a band, practising with your mates helps it all work out on the night in Super Rugby, when the lights are shining.

NSW Waratahs prop Harry Johnson-Holmes during his days as a bass player with the band Geography of Mars.

“Once you get on there, you’re with blokes you’re training with week-in, week-out ... it actually just becomes a lot more comfortable than what you’d expect,” Johnson-Holmes said.

“Every training session, if I am packing against Sekope Kepu or Tom Robertson or Paddy Ryan, they’re all world class players and every training session turns into a bit of a Test match there.

“It definitely puts you in a good headspace when you have teams like the Brumbies.

Helping Johnson-Holmes, for home games at least, has been a band of crazy Sydney Uni mates in the stands. The redhead admits he was one of those “idiots” in the stands not so long ago.

The Waratahs won’t turn down some HJH-mania in Canberra when they meet the Brumbies, who are expecting back David Pocock and Sam Carter, and finally clicked to beat the Sharks last start.

Originally published as Secret past of Waratahs young cult hero Harry Johnson-Holmes