Valentine Holmes

Valentine Holmes (born 24 July 1995) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays across the backline as a centre, fullback or winger for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL and Australia at international level.

Val Holmes

Personal information
Full name	Valentine Holmes
Born	(1995-07-24) 24 July 1995 (age 27) Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Height	185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	90 kg (14 st 2 lb)
Playing information
Position	Centre, Wing, Fullback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2014–18 Cronulla Sharks 105 66 51 3 369 2020– North Qld Cowboys 66 21 206 7 503 Total 171 87 257 10 872 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2016–22 Australia 19 19 16 0 108 2017–22 Queensland 13 11 21 0 86
Source: ^[1] As of 7 May 2023

He began his career with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League, with whom he won the 2016 NRL Premiership. At representative level he has played for Queensland in the State of Origin series. In 2019, spent several months on the practice squad for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL) as a part of the league's International Player Pathway Program.

Background

Holmes was born in Townsville, Queensland^[2] to a Cook Islands mother^[3] and a New Zealand father.^[4]

He has three older brothers, and an older sister.

He played his junior rugby league in Townsville for the Western Lions, before being signed by National Rugby League club, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, in 2012 at the age of 17.

Rugby league career

Early career

Holmes moved to Sydney in 2013 to play for the Cronulla-Sutherland SG Ball Cup team. Later that year, he made his debut for the Sharks NYC team, scoring 17 tries in 10 games^[5] and played representative rugby league 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.^[6][7] In December 2013, Holmes was named in the 2014 Queensland Academy of Sport Under 20s Emerging Origin squad.^[8] Holmes played 33 games, scored 24 tries and kicked 53 goals for 202 points in his U20s career from 2013 to 2015.^[9]

2014

In February, Holmes was selected in the Cronulla Auckland Nines squad.^[10] He played for the Queensland Under 20s team at fullback in the 30–8 loss to the Under 20s New South Wales team at Penrith Stadium.^[11][12] In Round 21, Holmes made his NRL debut for Cronulla-Sutherland against the Parramatta Eels on the wing in the 32–12 loss at Remondis Stadium filling in for Sosaia Feki who succumbed to an injury before the match.^[13] On 6 August, he extended his contract with the Cronulla club from the end of 2015, to the end of 2017.^[14] In Round 23 against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park, Holmes scored his first NRL try in the 6–48 loss.^[15] Holmes finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 6 matches and scoring 3 tries. Holmes was named at wing in the 2014 NYC Team of the Year.^[16]

On 8 September, 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.^[17] On 12 September, he pledged his allegiance to Australia.^[7] On 18 October, Holmes played on the wing for the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis at Mt Smart Stadium, scoring two tries in the 14–15 loss.^[18]

2015

Holmes played for Cronulla-Sutherland in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.^[19] On 2 May, he again played on the wing for the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis, scoring a try and kicking 1 goal in the 22-20 win.^[20][21] In Round 10 against the Gold Coast Titans, he kicked a field goal to win the match for Cronulla in their 23-22 golden-point extra-time victory at Cbus Super Stadium.^[22] In Round 19 against the Canberra Raiders, he repeated his efforts, kicking another field goal in extra-time to win the match 21-20.^[23] He finished off the season as Cronulla's highest try-scorer with 16 tries, as well as kicking 11 goals and 3 field goals in 25 matches.^[24]

2016

Holmes was selected in the QAS Emerging Maroons squad,^[25] but on 31 January, while in the Emerging Maroons camp, he broke curfew and was fined for public nuisance and obstructing Queensland Police. The QRL announced he would be excluded from its representative programs for the next 12 months.^[26] He was then stood down from the Sharks' 2016 NRL Auckland Nines squad after previously being named.^[27] In Round 10 against the Newcastle Knights, he scored 4 tries in Cronulla-Sutherland's 62-0 win.^[28] Holmes was part of the squad which won the 2016 NRL Grand Final, 14-12 against the Melbourne Storm. Holmes finished the season playing 23 games and scoring 19 tries, once again Cronulla's highest try scorer.^{[citation needed]}

 

Holmes warming up for the Kangaroos at Anfield in 2016

Holmes was later selected for the Australian test side to face New Zealand on 15 November. Holmes scored a try on debut for the Australians in his side's 26-6 win.^{[citation needed]}

 

Holmes playing for the Kangaroos in the Four Nations Final in 2016

2017

Holmes was selected to play for Australia in the 2017 ANZAC Test. Later that season, he was selected to make his State of Origin debut for Queensland in Game II, scoring a try. He was then selected in Game III, where he scored three tries.

After being named in Australia's 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad, Holmes set a Test and World Cup record by scoring five tries in the quarter-final against Samoa in Darwin. Only a week later, he broke his own record by scoring six tries in the semi-final against Fiji at Suncorp Stadium.^[29] He set another record by scoring a total of twelve tries throughout the World Cup.

2018

In round 12 of the 2018 NRL season against the Newcastle Knights, Holmes scored a hat trick of tries in Cronulla's 48-10 win at Hunter Stadium. At the season's conclusion, Holmes was the second highest try-scorer and lead the season in highest amount of line-breaks.^[30] At the end of the season, Holmes won the Monty Porter Medal for Player of the Year and the Tommy Bishop Player's Player Award.^[31]

In November 2018, Holmes was released from his contract with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League to chase his dream to one day play in the National Football League. Two years earlier, Holmes and North Queensland Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo attended NFL trials in Los Angeles, with fifteen NFL teams expressing interest in both.^[32]

2020

On 24 November 2019, Holmes returned to rugby league, signing a six-year deal with the North Queensland Cowboys, beginning in 2020.^[33]

In Round 1 of the 2020 NRL season, he made his debut for North Queensland in their 21–28 loss to the Brisbane Broncos. He scored the team's first try in the game, becoming the first Cowboys player to score a try at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.^[34] In Round 5, Holmes injured his ankle in a loss to the New Zealand Warriors, which ruled him out for two weeks.^[35]

In his second game back from injury, a 16–42 loss to the Sydney Roosters, Holmes reinjured his ankle and missed seven weeks.^[36] He returned from injury in Round 16, against his former club, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.^[37] In Round 17, Holmes kicked the winning field goal in golden point to defeat the St. George Illawarra Dragons 23–22 and snap North Queensland's nine-game losing streak.^[38]

In the final game of the season, a 32–16 win over Brisbane, Holmes was charged by the match review committee for a shoulder charge and was suspended for one game.^[39] On 7 October 2020, he was named in the Queensland squad for the 2020 State of Origin series.^[40] After missing Game 1 through suspension, Holmes started at fullback in Queensland's 10–34 Game 2 loss to New South Wales.^[41] In Game 3, Holmes started on the wing for Queensland, scoring a try and kicking four goals, in their series-deciding win.

2021

In round 9 of the 2021 NRL season, Holmes kicked the winning field goal for North Queensland as they defeated arch-rivals Brisbane 19-18.^[42] In round 12, Holmes kicked another winning field goal as North Queensland defeated the New Zealand Warriors 29-28.^[43]

On 30 May, Holmes was named in the Queensland squad for the 2021 State of Origin Series. He was named on the wing before an injury to Kalyn Ponga forced him into the fullback role for the 50-6 loss to New South Wales.^{[citation needed]}

2022

In June, Holmes was selected for game one of the 2022 State of Origin series by Queensland. In round 15 of the 2022 NRL season, he scored two tries in North Queensland's come from behind win over Manly.^[44] In round 19, Holmes kicked a penalty goal after the siren to win the match for North Queensland against the Wests Tigers by 27–26.^[45]

In round 25, Holmes scored a hat-trick in North Queensland's 38-8 victory over a second string Penrith outfit.^[46] In the 2022 Qualifying Final, Holmes kicked a two-point drop goal in extra-time as North Queensland defeated Cronulla-Sutherland 32-30.^[47]

Holmes would play a total of 24 matches for North Queensland throughout 2022 including the clubs shock preliminary final loss to Parramatta at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Holmes finished as the competitions top point scorer with 244 points.^[48]

In October he was named in the Australia squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.^[49]

 

Holmes warming up for the Kangaroos in 2022

 

Holmes after winning the 2021 RLWC in 2022

Achievements and accolades

Individual

• Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Monty Porter Medal: 2018
• Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Players' Player Award: 2018
• Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Members' Player of the Year: 2018
• Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Team of the Half Century: 2017
• 2017 Rugby League World Cup Team of the Tournament: 2017
• NYC Team of the Year: 2014

Team

• 2016 NRL Grand Final: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks – Winners
• 2017 Rugby League World Cup: Australia – Winners
• 2021 Rugby League World Cup: Australia – Winners

Statistics

NRL

Statistics are correct to 14/09/22 of the 2022 season^[50]

†	Denotes seasons in which Holmes won an NRL Premiership

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2014	Cronulla-Sutherland	6	3	0	–	0	12
2015	Cronulla-Sutherland	25	16	11	84.62%	3	89
2016†	Cronulla-Sutherland	26	19	2	28.57%	0	80
2017	Cronulla-Sutherland	22	6	10	83.33%	0	44
2018	Cronulla-Sutherland	26	22	28	75.68%	0	144
2020	North Queensland	12	4	24	70.59%	1	65
2021	North Queensland	20	4	54	73.97%	2	126
2022	North Queensland	23	10	96	82.05%	3	236
Career totals		160	84	225	76.79%	9	796

International

†	Denotes years in which Holmes won a World Cup Title

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2016	Australia	4	2	0	—	0	8
2017†	Australia	7	12	0	—	0	48
2018	Australia	2	3	9	81.82%	0	30
Career totals		13	17	9	81.82%	0	86

State of Origin

†	Denotes seasons in which Holmes won a State of Origin Series

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2017†	Queensland	2	4	0	—	0	16
2018	Queensland	3	4	6	66.67%	0	28
2020†	Queensland	2	1	5	83.33%	0	14
2021	Queensland	3	0	3	100.00%	0	6
2022†	Queensland	3	2	7	77.78%	0	22
Career totals		13	11	21	81.95%	0	86

American football career

See also: List of players who have converted from one football code to another

In April of 2019, Holmes was signed by the New York Jets as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway program.^[51] He made appearances in the New York Jets preseason against the New York Giants on 9 August, carrying 3 times for 6 yards and receiving 3 times for 30 yards.^[52] Then the Atlanta Falcons on 15 August carrying 3 times for 3 yards.^[53] He did not play in the third game against the New Orleans Saints. In the fourth game against the Philadelphia Eagles he made 5 receptions for 55 yards.^[54] He was waived by the Jets during final roster cuts,^[55] but was added to the Jets' practice squad on 1 September 2019, as an exempt international player. He was released on 22 November 2019.^[56]

References

1. "Valentine Holmes - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project.
2. Sarah Harvey (16 September 2014). "Valentine Holmes snubs Kiwis for Kangaroos bid". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
3. Corey Rosser (1 August 2015). "Holmes the difference again for Sharks". nrl.com. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
4. Robert Craddock (13 September 2014). "Valentine Holmes decides his future lay in Australia and not with New Zealand". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
5. . Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
6. "Players storm into Kiwis contention". New Zealand Rugby League. 25 September 2013. Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
7. "Valentine Holmes Decides His Future Lay in australia and Not With New Zealand". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
8. . Qasport.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
9. "18thman - U20s Player Records". 18thman.com.
10. . Rugby League Week. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
11. "Queensland name Under-20s Origin team". NRL.com. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
12. "Mamo stars as under-20s Blues thump Maroons". NRL.com. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
13. "Debutant Holmes a positive for defeated Sharks". NRL.com. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
14. "Exciting Cronulla Youngster Valentine Holmes Signs New Sharks NRL Deal". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
15. . Archived from the original on 8 September 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
16. . Rugby League Week. 2 September 2014. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
17. "New Zealand Pick Valentine Holmes in Four Nations Squad". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
18. Sarah Harvey (18 October 2014). "Junior Kiwis edge Junior Kangaroos in nailbiter". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
19. . Rugby League Week. 23 January 2015. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
20. "Representative Round team lists". NRL.com. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
21. "Junior Roos hold on in thriller". NRL.com. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
22. "Late Errors Cost Gold Coast Titans in Shattering Golden Point Loss to Cronulla Sharks". Goldcoastbulletin.com.au. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
23. "Cronulla Sharks heap more home misery on Canberra Raiders with golden point win". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
24. "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
25. "Maroons name Emerging Origin squad". NRL.com. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
26. "Cronulla Sharks player Valentine Holmes fined for public nuisance, obstructing police in Queensland". Abc.net.au. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
27. "NRL Auckland Nines 2016: Valentine Holmes stood down by Sharks over police incident". Smh.com.au. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
28. "NRL 2016: Valentine Holmes stars as Cronulla Sharks embarrass Newcastle Knights". Dailytelegraph.com.au. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
29. "Holmes scores six tries as Australia thrash Fiji" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
30. "NRL Stats - NRL.com". National Rugby League. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
31. "Valentine's night at Monty Porter awards". Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
32. "NFL scouts impressed with NRL stars Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes". Fox Sports. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
33. "Cowboys sign Valentine Holmes on six-year deal". NRL. 24 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
34. Gould, Joel (13 March 2020). "Fifita's solo special helps Broncos spoil Cowboys party". NRL. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
35. "Warriors vs Cowboys: Star fullback Valentine Holmes taken from the field with ankle injury". Sporting News. 12 June 2020.
36. "Injury update: Valentine Holmes". NQ Cowboys. 14 July 2020.
37. "Sharks v Cowboys: Johnson out; Holmes good to go". NRL. 29 August 2020.
38. "Holmes' golden point heartens Hannay after missing top job". NRL. 6 September 2020.
39. "Round 20 charges: Thompson, King handed suspensions". NRL. 29 September 2020.
40. "Fifteen players named in Maroons squad". QRL. 7 October 2020.
41. "Maroons announce squad for Game II clash". QRL. 6 November 2020.
42. "North Queensland Cowboys beat Brisbane Broncos 19-18, Gold Coast Titans defeat Wests Tigers 36-28, Knights down Raiders 24-16". www.abc.net.au.
43. "The greatest field goal of all time? Fans gush over Valentine Holmes' matchwinner in Cowboys - Warriors thriller". www.sportingnews.com.
44. "NRL Friday as it happened: Storm survive first-half scare to beat Broncos, Cowboys complete remarkable heist, Jack Wighton to miss Origin II". wwos.nine.com.au.
45. "Fresh twist reveals just how badly Tigers were burned as illegal Val Holmes moment 'cleared'". www.foxsports.com.au.
46. "North Queensland hammers Penrith 38-8 on NRL finals eve, Brisbane Broncos' season comes to an end". www.abc.net.au.
47. "Holmes' field goal leads Cowboys to prelim as Taumalolo stuns in golden point epic: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
48. "'See it in their eyes': The late-season pact and 'massive sacrifice' behind Eels surge". www.foxsports.com.au.
49. Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
50. "Valentine Holmes - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
51. Williams, Charean. "Jets sign Valentine Holmes". MSN.com. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
52. https://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2019080860/2019/PRE1/jets@giants Jets @ Giants. NFL preseason. NFL.com
53. https://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2019081552/2019/PRE2/jets@falcons Jets @ Falcons. NFL preseason. NFL.com
54. http://www.nfl.com/player/valentineholmes/2562889/gamelogs Valentine Holmes NFL game log. NFL.com. Retrieved 24 November 2019
55. https://www.news.com.au/sport/american-sports/nfl/valentine-holmes-waived-by-new-york-jets-as-53man-roster-named/news-story/4cd3bc7cceaacd2e2793ab1388490a39 Valentine Holmes waived by New York Jets as 53-man roster named. News.com. Retrieved 1 September 2019
56. Lange, Randy (22 November 2019). "Valentine Holmes Released from Jets Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved 22 November 2019.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Valentine Holmes.

• North Queensland Cowboys profile
• NRL profile
• 2017 RLWC profile