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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Megan Doherty

Good luck, from Braidwood to Tokyo

The Braidwood rock spurs on local legend Lewis Holland and his fiancee Charlotte Caslick, both of whom are playing rugby for Australia at the Tokyo Olympics.

It's known as the Braidwood "birthday rock", an ever-changing natural billboard marking local birthdays, anniversaries and other milestones over decades.

The rock, on the Kings Highway on the north-eastern outskirts of the town, is a familiar landmark for anyone travelling from Canberra to the coast, regular spraypainted over with the latest message of goodwill.

The latest was a loud and proud good luck call direct from Braidwood to the Tokyo Olympics - "Fire up! Lewis Holland and Charlottle Caslick" - recognising the golden couple of Australian rugby.

Charlotte Caslick and Lewis Holland plan to marry in December. Picture: Facebook

Lewis Holland is a local Braidwood product, starting his rugby playing as a kid with the Braidwood Redbacks before continuing to hone his sport at St Edmund's College in Canberra.

His brother Jake is the captain of the Redbacks first grade team. Another brother Wyll also plays for the Redbacks and is a member of the Brumbies academy.

Lewis, 28, is in Tokyo, competing at his second Olympics, with the Australian rugby sevens team.

His fiancee Charlotte Caslick is also competing in her second Olympics, with the Australian women's rugby sevens team.

The couple, who run a cattle farm in regional Queensland, were engaged last year.

Covid restrictions saw their wedding postponed, which is now due to take place in December.

While Lewis fought hard to make the team after injury, the Tokyo Olympics proved to be heartbreaking for the men's rugby team who this week slipped out of medal contention following a 19-0 defeat against Fiji in the quarter-finals.

The Australian team was due to play Canada Wednesday afternoon to determine seventh and eighth place.

The gold medal match will be played between New Zealand and Fiji, while Great Britain and Argentina will play for bronze.

Charlotte Caslick, meanwhile, will be hoping to repeat the Australian women's rugby success at the 2016 Rio Olympics when the team won gold.

She will run out with her Australian team mates on Thursday for their first game in this Olympics campaign, against Japan.

Lewis Holland in full flight. Picture: Rugby Australia media

Lewis Holland is one of four sons of Mark Holland, himself a Braidwiid rugby identity, and Vanessa Bunn, who runs a local cafe and catering company in the town.

Vanessa said on Wednesday she was extremely proud of her son for making his second Olympics, even though the "elusive gold didn't happen".

"It's a great privilege to play for your country, twice," she said.

"And he's got Charlotte there and it's very exciting for them, as it is for us."

Braidwood Redbacks head coach Anthony "Box" Hayes said Lewis and Charlotte were both inspirational players, especially for the kids coming through in the game.

"It's a great achievement to reach an Olympics, particularly with a bit of adversity, he had to fight to get there," Hayes said of Lewis.

"Unfortunately, it didn't play out the way he probably wanted, but Braidwood is very proud of him."

And the little town also now claims Charlotte as one of their own.

"Absolutely. We wish her all the best," Hayes said.

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