Cronulla Star Ruled Out Of Season Opener

Just in.


Article heading image for Cronulla Star Ruled Out Of Season Opener

Valentine Holmes Photo: Getty Images

Cronulla's top fullback candidate Valentine Holmes has been ruled out of Thursday's NRL season opener against Brisbane due to injury.

Premiership winger Holmes, tipped to fill the fullback spot vacated by Ben Barba, has been hampered in the pre-season by a hamstring complaint.

"He 100 per cent won't play this week," Sharks captain Paul Gallen told Sky Sports on Tuesday ahead of the round one clash at Shark Park.

"Val, just with the speed he plays at, we know how fast the bloke is, tearing a hamstring three or four weeks ago probably is just not worth the risk for him.

"Fingers crossed he'll be right for next week but he won't play this week."

The 21-year-old Holmes missed Cronulla's World Club Challenge loss to Wigan after suffering the injury in a trial match against Redcliffe earlier in the month.

The Kangaroos winger's switch to fullback was a convenient solution to Barba's departure to French rugby following a positive drugs test.

For all the latest and best Triple M NRL news, download the Triple M NRL App

27 February 2017




Listen Live!

Up Next