Holmes run may conquer Broncos

SURVIVING on massages and a leave pass from training, Valentine Holmes is on an unprecedented hot streak despite an agonising schedule that will see him line up for his fourth match in 16 days.

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has showered Holmes with praise for his maturity and dedication ahead of tonight’s big clash with rival finals contender Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

Playing the equivalent of an NRL match every four days since Origin III, the in-form Sharks fullback will become the first player in two years to endure as many matches in as many days against the Broncos tonight.

Yet incredibly — with the aid of a deliberately modified training schedule which has included massages and training just once before matches — Holmes has produced devastating numbers for top-four hopeful Cronulla, while also moving to second on the ladder for most tries in the NRL.

Indeed, just 48 hours after scoring two tries on the wing for Queensland in Origin III on July 11, Holmes backed up for the Sharks to score two more tries in his side’s Round-18 win over Penrith.

What isn’t known is that because of the travel involved following Origin III in Brisbane, Holmes only had time for a massage before joining his Cronulla teammates at Penrith. Similarly, Holmes — who turned 23 on Tuesday — was instructed by the highly respected Sharks high performance staff to attend only team meetings and the captain’s run before running riot against the Raiders last week.

Tonight’s clash is the culmination of a huge month for Holmes with victory the motivation ahead of a bodyrelieving 10-day turnaround before tackling Manly in Round 21 at Shark Park.

Flanagan said he couldn’t speak highly enough of Holmes’ focus during the physically demanding period.

“Attitude-wise, Val has been faultless — and that is reflective of his form,’’ Flanagan said. “Coming out of the Origin series, Val came out of that upbeat with the way he played for the Maroons.”