CHRIS Hollis insists that revenge for a season on the sidelines won’t be on his mind when he makes his Dragons debut against his old Stormers teammates tomorrow night.
The 6ft 3ins winger, who can also play in midfield, is poised to feature when the Rodney Parade club welcome the United Rugby Championship play-off hopefuls to Newport (kick-off 7.35pm).
A quirk of the fixture list means that Hollis starts a trial period at the Dragons against the team that he has spent most of the season with.
The 25-year-old is on a short-term contract that, barring any disasters, will roll into a deal for next season.
The Dragons have taken a chance on Hollis and Hollis has taken a chance on the Dragons after spending most of the campaign on the sidelines.
“Back home I was struggling a bit with game time, then I got the opportunity to come over and it happened quite suddenly,” said the new boy, whose only Stormers outing was against Northampton in an exhibition game.
“It’s an extremely special game first up. I didn't think when the season started that my first game this season would be against Stormers!
“I’ve thought about what this game means and it's not about trying to prove them wrong, or revenge or anything like that. It’s more a case of proving myself right.
“I know what type of player I am. I know what I can do. I play for my family, but I also want to prove Dai (Flanagan) and the rest of the management right for picking me and for backing me.
“It’s more about proving myself right and everyone around me right, rather than proving anyone wrong.”
An opportunity at Rodney Parade came up and Hollis was able to swiftly get the inside track.
Brok Harris, who has played more games for the Stormers than any other player after bringing up his 150 last month, spent seven campaigns in the Dragons’ front row.
“I had a chat to Brok just before I came and he gave me a rundown on what’s happening here,” said Hollis.
“He loved it at the Dragons and had a great time so that also gave me a bit of motivation to come.”
Hollis, who previously played for the Southern Kings, Griquas and Lions, is an option as a centre but the Dragons have signed him as a physical option on the wing.
The South African has pledged to “go full throttle” against the Stormers, Ospreys and Scarlets to give a glimpse of what hopefully is to come in 2024/25.
“I like to think I'm quite strong in contact, I back my offloading game, and I'm a good communicator on the field,” he said.
“I'd like to think I know where the spaces are and when the game is going to open up.”
Hollis is currently on a short-term deal but he has watched on as the announcements have flowed for next season’s arrivals – Solomone Funaki, Harry Wilson, Steve Cummins, Shane Lewis-Hughes.
“Part of the reason I was so keen to come was what we can build here,” he said. “Something special is happening at this club and I’d love to be a part of it.”
But the immediate future is the clash with the Stormers and lobbing a spanner in the works of their push for the play-offs.
They have travelled to Europe fully-loaded for encounters against the Dragons and Connacht.
“The Stormers are a quality side. They won the first URC and got to the final last season,” said Hollis. “This season they are top eight, so they’re a quality side.
“We're going to have to be at our best but I feel confident and the thing with rugby is anything can happen on the day.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here