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North Queensland Cowboys superstar Valentine Holmes welcomes the challenge of fighting for his position on the team, with hopes that his teammates will pressure him for the all-important full-back role.
Holmes, who started the 2020 North Queensland campaign from the back, was transferred to the wing sometimes in a year embarrassed by an ankle injury. The 25-year-old only managed 12 games for the club last year due to injury, but still played for the Maroons in November, on the wing in their 2-1 series win over NSW.
As the 2021 NRL season approaches, the new Cowboys coach Todd Payten recently confirmed that Holmes will be the club’s first choice back option to start the year.
Payten, who joins the club alongside assistants Dean Young, Steve Georgallis and Ben Rauter, has been a welcome addition to the Cowboys according to Holmes, who said he was excited to grow up alongside a young group of coaches.
“He (Payten) was great,” Holmes told Wide World of Sports.
“Him, Dean Young, Steve Georgallis – they’ve all been great and they’ve all had a lot of experience at their old clubs.
“They brought it all in – a lot of different things from the clubs they were at before.
“They’ve been great. Apart from Georgie, they’ve all just played the game for the past few years.
“They all understand what it’s like to play this game these days. They are doing very well. They are exciting young coaches starting their careers.
“I have the impression that with the team that we have this year and for the next few years, it’s going to be great.”
But a big question mark for Holmes and Payten will be whether the former Shark stays in the back, with young star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Scott Drinkwater both more than capable of taking on the role.
Holmes admitted that he wanted to remain the club’s first choice option for the No.1 shirt, but conceded that his goal at the moment was to solidify his place in the top squad, even if that means returning to the wing, where he spent much of his time in during his previous stint with Cronulla.
“Yeah absolutely [want to take ownership of the No.1 jersey],” he said.
“My first goal is always to be part of the team. I don’t think I should be a fullback just because I signed here. I want to win this position to play where I want to play but I want to be part of the team first.
“Wherever I play, I’ll be happy to play where the best for the team is at the start of the year, and if it’s a fullback, so be it.
“If it’s somewhere else, then I’m happy to play anywhere as long as I’m on the team.”
When asked if he enjoys the challenge of competing for the places, Holmes said it was the best form of motivation for him to ‘make the most of’ himself.
“Absolutely [love fighting for spots]Holmes added.
“I think it brings out the best in myself and the other players.
“You can see a lot of players training really well in different positions. We’ve cut and changed positions throughout the preseason and you see the guys doing really well in positions where they never have. played before.
“It might bring something around the middle of the year where we might need someone to play there and I like that.
“I just like being on the team, I like playing soccer.”
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow beats seven Panthers to score
Holmes’ biggest threat to the No.1 jersey will likely be 19-year-old Tabuai-Fidow.
Tabuai-Fidow, in a debut season last year, got his hands on the No.1 shirt as Holmes was injured, taking the full back position seven times.
The speedster, who has a personal best of 10.85 seconds over 100 meters, has been scary in the open space and could become a fix for Payten after a year of breakout that saw him win six tries in 14 appearances.
“I didn’t think I was going to make my debut last year,” he also told Wide World of Sports.
“I got it and took it with both hands. I was pretty happy with my 2020 – it was my first year – I think I did pretty well for my first year.
“My preseason this year has been good with the coaching staff, it’s been tough and it’s different from last year, but I enjoy every moment.”
Tabuai-Fidow admitted he had the “motivation” to one day take full-time full-back duties.
“With this preseason, my season last year gave me a lot of confidence,” added Tabuai-Fidow.
“Growing up, I was always a great back. The fight and the motivation are there to get this jersey.
“When that moment comes, I’ll take it with both hands and do my best.
“Being in the best team, I learned a lot and I’m learning every day. It’s a big advantage for me.”
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