Valentine’s day to kick state home

VALENTINE Holmes will be Queensland’s goalkicker in Origin I.

Queensland’s three-way shootout is finally over, with Holmes edging out Dane Gagai and Cameron Munster to clinch the crucial goalkicking duties for the series opener at the MCG tomorrow night.

The representative retirements of Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston has decimated Queensland’s goalkicking options, leaving the Maroons without a regular sharpshooter for Game One.

But Holmes has been installed as goalkicker, with the Maroons winger, who deputises for Cronulla’s Chad Townsend at club level, convincing coach Kevin Walters he can handle the pressure.

“We expect Valentine to be kicking for us,” Walters said.

“He’s not kicking in club land but he’s always practising, Cameron Munster was an option too but we felt Valentine was the best option at this stage. If we get a chance to have a shot then he will be the man to do it.”

Walters made his decision in consultation with Maroons assistant coach Josh Hannay.