Twin towers: Young locks following similar path to the top
THE similarities between former McAuley Catholic College student Jed Holloway and current Wallaby Kane Douglas are extraordinary.
Both began their rugby union playing days in Yamba playing lock for the Buccaneers before moving to the Sydney competition.
Douglas, 23, moved on to play with Southern Districts in the Shute Shield, winning the 2010 rookie of the year award.
Since then, he has played 43 games for the New South Wales Waratahs and has three Wallaby caps to his name.
Some commentators are suggesting he could become a fixture in the Wallabies line-up for years to come.
Holloway, 19, moved on from the Buccaneers to play with Southern Districts in the Shute Shield, winning the 2012 rookie of the year award.
Rewarded with a Waratahs extended playing squad contract, he is a step closer to fulfilling the same green and gold dream Douglas is living.
And if Douglas's words are anything to go by, Holloway could join him on the biggest stages.
"He's going to fit in at the Waratahs with no problems at all," Douglas said.
"I've only played with him at Southern Districts but he has what it takes to get to the highest level."
Even the way Douglas described the 108kg Wollongong-born lock is similar to the way he was described before his Wallaby debut.
"He's got good speed, great footwork and a really good work ethic," Douglas said.
In terms of ability, there's no doubting that Holloway has what it takes to reach the top.
Southern Districts general manager Craig Hawkings echoed Douglas's sentiments, saying Holloway would benefit greatly from the steep learning curve before him.
"He has had a lot to learn since being here and will have even more with the Waratahs," Hawkings said.
"He's got the right work ethic, and if he keeps working hard there's no reason why he can't do it.
"The ball's in his court and it's up to him to keep at it."
Hawkings spoke highly of Holloway's two years with the club, after he started in the colts team last year.
"He was one of the better players," Hawkings said.
"When he made the step up to grade footy this year he shone and hasn't looked back."
Buccaneers president Andrew Bennett has spent many years involved with the Holloway family.
He praised Holloway's skill, echoing Douglas's comments about his approach to rugby.
"Jed has always been a really good sportsman," Bennet said.
"He has always been dedicated and given more than his best at whatever he has done."
The potential of having two former Buccaneers locking the Waratahs scrum hasn't been lost on Bennett, who described their success as massive for the region.
"Jed and Kane's successes are really significant achievements and without taking responsibility, are massive for the club," Bennett said.
"They have shown that you don't have to move away to make it to the big time."
Bennett has no doubt that Holloway, who showed great skill in basketball and other sports, could be a future Wallaby.
"He's made the decision to make a living out of rugby and there's no doubting he'll do it," Bennett said.
"With his age and his skill level he won't have any problem making a career out of it."
