HOLMES READY TO TAKE ON BLUES SPEED STAR
VALENTINE Holmes is confident Queensland’s reconstructed backline can muzzle NSW’s speed machines as the Maroons attempt to stave off a 3-0 series rout without skipper Greg Inglis.
Inglis’s withdrawal with a broken thumb has forced a shake-up of the Maroons’ three-quarter line for Origin III, with Holmes shifting to the right wing to mark the NRL’s fastest man, NSW flyer Josh Addo-Carr.
Holmes’s move leaves Queensland with a new-look left edge as centre Dane Gagai and recalled winger Corey Oates prepare to oppose NSW danger men James Roberts and Tom Trbojevic.
Queensland held their first training run yesterday at Sanctuary Cove. It was patchy, with centre Will Chambers, outclassed by NSW rival Latrell Mitchell in the series, grassing a ball on a backline shift.
Holmes has scored six tries in four games on Queensland’s left wing but says he will have no issues on the right flank, even if he is wary of the attacking threat posed by Addo-Carr.
“I’m not confident I’m as fast as him (Addo-Carr), so I’ll be wary, I’ll be watching where he is,” Holmes said.
“I will always have my eyes on him but I also have to look at their inside man, Latrell (Mitchell), and make sure Chambers sticks on him.
“If I can keep Addo-Carr to no tries that would be great. “I’m not too fazed on where I’m playing, everyone knows I play right side for Cronulla.”