Waratahs: Outback teammates Archer Holz and Arabella McKenzie reunite

They grew up as family friends in a small outback town and played junior league together. Now these two rugby talents will be playing at the same club in 2022 - just on different teams.

Bella McKenzie and Archer Holz have reunited at the Waratahs

Their mums were best mates and they grew up just a street away from each other in a tiny country town.

They share the same birthday and played in the same rugby league team together from the under 8s to under 12s.

Now, more than a decade on Archer Holz and Arabella McKenzie have found themselves thousands of miles away from their childhood homes playing at the same club together in a different sport to the one they started in.

Archer Holz and Bella McKenzie played footy together as kids. Holz said McKenzie was a standout.

“We didn't have a rugby team in Lightning Ridge so we all played league,” said Holz, one of the Waratahs newest signings.

“I was telling someone the other day Bella was easily the best player in our team. Better than the boys. She was so strong.

“I was speaking to her the other day and she is killing it. I am so proud of her. So are our families.

“It’s crazy, we are from such a small town and we both end up here together.”

Arabella McKenzie playing for NSW against Queensland.

Holz left the country to attend the Kings School in year five and has played rugby since.

The prop made Easts first grade in the Shute Shield as a teenager in 2019 a then nabbed a contract with the Brumbies for last season.

Now he’s at the Waratahs where McKenzie is a star of the Super W team and in the Wallaroos extended squads.

Archer Holz in action against West Harbour in the Shute Shield.

Bella McKenzie and Archer Holz have reunited at the Waratahs

“I’m exactly one year older than Archer but we were born on the same day.” McKenzie said.

“Yeah, we played together when we were kids. I was way bigger than the boys back then. I was even bigger than Archer.”

McKenzie took out the Super W player of the year award at the Waratahs after the club won their fourth consecutive crown.

McKenzie was a leading point score with 39 in three matches – including 15 in the Super W final.

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Originally published as Waratahs: Outback teammates Archer Holz and Arabella McKenzie reunite