Will Holder’s two-try performance in the 3rd/4th game win over New Zealand may not necessarily be the stuff of legend, but it was important.

The West Point grad has struggled to secure a spot in either USA national teams despite the odd cap, and his fans were happy to see him get a start, and then play well.

“It feels awesome to be back in the jersey,” said Holder, who was a four-year star for Army. “I’m glad I was able to deliver for the team when my number was called.” 

The tries were nice, but Holder has been aware that running with the ball is only a small part of success on the international stage.

“I’ve really been working on my defense and breakdown work,” said Holder. “Everyone on this team has a ridiculous work ethic, so when you don't have the freakish ability of a lot of the players on our team, you have to make your mark as a grinder and be rock solid in the technical aspects of the game.” 

Holder’s start was also an important for the military’s World Class Athlete Program. The Department of Defense is helping support military rugby players as they try to make the US Olympic team, and so far the WCAP has not produced any regular starters. Holder said that with the help of another former West Point flyhalf, Andy Locke, as a coach and talent identifier, he expects that to change over time.  

“The WCAP players are a great group of guys that have made a lot of progress with the team,” said Holder. “Locke has been a great addition to the staff after he made the switch. [Ben] Leatigaga has really been showing his old college self and had a great tournament in Florida before getting hurt. And [Mattie] Tago is looking more and more comfortable every day in San Diego. We are really excited about the program overall this year, as the Olympics are drawing near. A lot of our brothers and sisters in the program in other sports have been doing very well in their qualification processes, and we're excited about being a part of that.”

USA Head Coach Mike Friday, of course, is choosing his players based on performance, and he is seeing improved performances from Holder.

"Will Holder has continued to grow and improve from what he showed us at the Halloween 7s and some of his link snd support play bought real continuity to our attack," Friday told Goff Rugby Report. "He also has worked hard on his defense and technical tackle executon, which is allowing him to be a more consistent accurate defender." 

The Olympics is important to the military, and that’s why the WCAP system exists. Athletes in all sorts of sports - shooting, boxing, bobsled, wrestling, modern pentathlon - come from the military to compete for the USA in the Olympics, and the bobsled program has been especially successful, winning five medals in Sochi.

Rugby has an excellent chance to be a winning outlet for WCAP athletes.

“It would be an amazing feeling to bring back a medal for our family at WCAP,” said Holder.