It’s been a tough few months for Archer Holz, battling back from a virus that sidelined him for long periods last season, writes Rob Lloyd.
The man from the small outback town of Lightning Ridge in New South Wales admits he still has a bit to go to get to his best – words that will delight Scarlets fans who witnessed the 25-year-old tight-head deliver an outstanding display as part of a dominant pack performance against Glasgow last weekend.
“That win was massive for us,” said Archer, speaking to the media this week ahead of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup round one clash with Bristol Bears.
“Obviously, it has been a tough start to the season, but everyone here knew those results didn’t reflect the work we have put in. Every rugby player goes through those periods so it was nice to get one over the line and do it convincingly as well.”
The sight of the Scarlets scrum on the march provided warmth on a cold evening in West Wales and the look on the faces of Archer and Co as they emerged from the set-piece with the referee’s arm in their favour spoke volumes.
“It is something I personally pride myself on,” he adds. “The high points of last season was our strength at the set-piece – the scrum, line-out and maul.
“We knew we could do it, we put in a hell of a lot of work during the international break and hopefully we can keep on building over the next few games.”
So what of his own form?
“I’ve definitely got a bit more to give,” he admits. “I feel like I am playing okay, I was fairly happy with my performance on the weekend, but I still feel I have places to go as my game fitness keeps building.”
After coming through with Australian Super Rugby sides the Brumbies and Waratahs, Archer had a brief spell with former European champions La Rochelle before his rugby journey took him to West Wales.
Now he gets to taste Champions Cup rugby, taking on the best club sides on the continent and South Africa.
“It is such an esteemed competition, growing up in Oz, it was something I would hear about this almost mythical competition, the cream of the crop. It is an awesome challenge for us. We have spoken this week that it is as close as you get to Test match intensity without playing a Test. It is an exciting opportunity – everyone at the club is excited to be back in it, this is such a proud club club, it is where we need to be.
“At the start of the week we sat down in a meeting and we were shown some clips from games gone past, famous victories. It kinda gets your blood going, it is exciting. We have an opportunity to do something special as the club has done before.”
And the pool?
“Whichever pool you land in there are always going to be tough games. You look at Bordeaux, having played in France, it is right up there with one of the best places to play and we’re hearing there are lots of Scarlets fans going out there as well. It is exciting to have the opportunity to go out there and try and snag a result.
“That win over Glasgow gives us a lot of confidence. We know this competition is a different beast, we are ready for that.
“Bristol are a good side, they put Northampton to the sword last weekend, but you saw here against Glasgow, we have a lot of fight in us and hunger to do well and a lot of passionate supporters we want to play for.”