Valentine Holmes

Valentine Holmes (born 24 July 1995) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Holmes primarily plays fullback, wing and centre.

Background

Born in Townsville, Queensland, Holmes is of Cook Islands and Maori descent.^[2] Holmes played his junior football for the Western Lions, before being signed by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. In 2013, Holmes moved to Sydney to play for the Sharks SG Ball Cup team. Later that year he made his debut for the Sharks NYC team, scoring 17 tries in 10 games.^[3] In 2013, Holmes played for the Queensland Under 18s team. In September 2013, Holmes, whose father is from New Zealand, was named in the 2013 Junior Kiwis train-on squad.^[4][5] In December 2013, Holmes was named in the 2014 Queensland Academy of Sport Under 20s Emerging Origin squad.^[6]

Playing career

2014

On February 2014, Holmes was selected in the Sharks 2014 NRL Auckland Nines squad.^[7] In 2014, Holmes played for the Queensland Under 20s team at fullback in the 30-8 loss to the Under 20's New South Wales team at Penrith Stadium.^[8][9] In Round 21 of the 2014 NRL season, Holmes made his NRL debut for the Sharks against the Parramatta Eels on the wing in the Sharks 32-12 loss at Remondis Stadium filling in for Sosaia Feki who succumbed to an injury before the match.^[10] On 6 August 2014, Holmes extended his contract with the Sharks from the end of 2015, to the end of 2017.^[11] In Round 23 against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park, Holmes scored his first NRL career try in the Sharks 6-48 loss.^[12] Holmes finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 6 matches and scoring 3 tries for the Sharks in the 2014 NRL season. On 2 September 2014, Holmes was named at wing in the 2014 NYC Team of the Year.^[13] On 8 September 2014, Holmes was named in the 2014 Junior Kangaroos train-on squad. A day later he was named in the New Zealand Kiwis train-on squad for the 2014 Four Nations.^[14] On 12 September 2014, Holmes pledged his allegiance to Australia.^[15] On 18 October 2014, Holmes played on the wing for the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis at Mt Smart Stadium, scoring two tries in the Junior Kangaroos 14-15 loss.^[16]

2015

In 23 January 2015, Holmes was named in the Sharks 2015 Auckland Nines squad.

References

External links

• 2014 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks profile