Fabian Holland shares promising update on shoulder rehab

Fabian Holland is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as he rehabs the shoulder injury that ended his 2026 Super Rugby campaign before it began.

The reigning World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year was just minutes into his first pre-season game against Moana Pasifika when he came reeling out of a tackle before being helped from the field while craddling one arm.

Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph said this week that the lock was “hungry to get back” and has “accelerated his development by putting every ounce of energy and time” into both his rehab and his off-field contributions to the team.

“I think he’s on a speedy recovery to be back in the All Blacks, for sure,” Joseph said, adding that he hopes to see Holland back in the black jersey during the South Africa series, when the All Blacks will “need him.”

Holland was on hand to provide more insight into what the last three months have looked like, sharing the frustrations that come with injury, as well as the opportunities that come with the added free time.

“Three months post-surgery now, range of motion is going well, we’re slowly starting to build and strengthen the shoulder up,” Holland said in a clip posted by the Highlanders’ social media accounts.

“It’s been a good journey so far. There’s obviously been a bit of disappointment missing the (Super Rugby) season, but I’ve been enjoying the journey itself, learning a lot about my body, and working on things outside of my rehab.

“Obviously, as a rugby player, you don’t often get the chance to work six months on your body and get stronger in certain parts that you normally don’t have the time for. It’s been quite exciting and quite good to have quality time to put into your body. In that case, it’s been quite good.

“It has its challenges. Watching the boys from the stands doesn’t get easier. It’s challenging trying to contribute while knowing you won’t be out there on Saturday.

“But I’m just trying to find ways to help the team out, maybe help some of the young ones out and put an arm around them.”

One of those young players is Dylan Pledger, the recent New Zealand U20 graduate who starred in his debut season for Otago in the 2025 NPC. The halfback’s rookie campaign for the Highlanders was highly anticipated, but a serious knee injury during pre-season delayed his first minutes in Super Rugby by another 12 months.

The 20-year-old has since been rehabbing alongside Holland, with plenty of time for “coffee dates” with the big man.

“He’s very driven, and we drive each other,” Holland said of Pledger. “I’ve got myself a running partner. I started running again myself not too long ago. Will be good to have some company on the field when we’re in the trenches.”

Pledger himself was about to hit the field for a run when the interview took place, and he also shared a positive update on his recovery.

“The rehab’s been good, I’m into my 13th or 14th week now, post-surgery. I started running last week, which is good. I’ve got heaps of strength in my quad.

“The first couple of weeks were quite hard while letting it settle. I couldn’t really do much around the boys; I was just crutching around, but once I started walking again, it made it easier.

“I think it’s just tough, obviously not playing rugby, going out to watch trainings, and watching the games. It’s hard, but it’s a learning thing, you learn heaps, and I’m feeling good about it while on the road to recovery now.”