Valentine Holmes has revealed where he’ll likely line up for the Cowboys this season.
Roosters superstar Luke Keary has suffered a pre-season setback with coach Trent Robinson revealing he underwent ankle surgery, while new recruit Kevin Naiqama is making the most of his opportunity.
Titans gun AJ Brimson has opened up on his transition to five-eighth and why it’s been “quite simple.”
Read on for the latest edition of Off-season Central.
Valentine Holmes will start the season playing at left centre but has revealed he’s been given the licence to roam the field.
Holmes has played 67 games of his 137-game career at fullback and 68 games on the wing, however he shifted to the centres for the final two games of last season and it’s a positional switch that will now stick after a conversation with coach Todd Payten.
“I played right centre at the end of last year, then I had a chat to Toddy at the end of the year in our season review and he wanted to see me at left centre,” Holmes told reporters on Friday.
“Obviously they brought (ex-Warriors right centre) Peta Hiku in... I’m really enjoying it.”
Payten has given the 26-year-old the green light to move around the field — just like what we saw Tom Trbojevic do while playing centre for the Blues.
“He’s given me the key to pass, to roam around the field when the ball goes away from my edge, kind of sniff around, try and get back out on my side and try and be ready to play footy at all times,” Holmes said.
“I think Tommy did a pretty good job showing what he can do, he plays fullback for his club, centre for Origin and he was their best player on the field in Origin playing centre. It’s more following the ball and always being ready.”
Holmes’ positional switch opens up room for speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to make his mark at fullback.
“I like that option,” Holmes said.
“I haven’t played centre for a while now. I haven’t played any first grade centre beside the end of last year and I’m really enjoying it.
“It’s different defending in the line next to your half but I’m really enjoying it.
“‘Hammer’ is going really well. He’s young, quick, athletic, a good skilful player. We’ve got to give him his opportunities.
“More so our edges need a little bit of experience or a bit of mobility out there so (Payten) wanted to try and test me and put me out there.
The permanent move to the centres could be considered unexpected given Holmes has publicly said before that he wanted to play fullback at the Cowboys. However the former Kangaroos star now sees his future being on an edge.
“Obviously I did state that’s where I wanted to play but as I’m getting older I feel like I’m getting pushed out (wider) a bit,” Holmes said.
“There’s a lot of good young fellas coming through which is making it a good challenge for me.
“I still play a bit of fullback, I trained a bit of fullback today. I still like to help (Tabuai-Fidow) out with communication keys.
“I’m enjoying playing centre so I feel like that’s where I’d like to finish off (my career).”
Kevin Naiqama hopes to “add value” to the Roosters and is relishing the opportunity to make a shock NRL comeback.
Naiqama’s signing was unexpected given the 32-year-old left the NRL in 2019 to make the move to the Super League.
He won three premierships with St Helens and last year was awarded the Harry Sunderland medal for best on ground in the grand final.
But the desire to return to Australia saw him link up with the Roosters on a one-year deal.
The Fijian international admitted this week that he’s missed being with his family and friends in Australia.
“Really good, I’ve missed it a lot,” Naiqama said of his return.
“Me and my wife have been in England for the last couple of years and I guess our situation was heightened with wanting to come back, and we haven’t been able to for the last two years.”
Despite having 113 NRL and 75 Super League games under his belt, Naiqama is still soaking up knowledge from his Roosters teammates.
“It’s been amazing to be honest, they’re awesome blokes,” he said.
“The boys have been really welcoming which has made that transition really easy for myself. I’m still getting to know the squad but from the players to the coaching staff, everyone has been really welcoming.
“I know I’m a bit older but I feel like I’m learning from all the young boys as well. It’s been great training with them and to develop relationships and build those connections with those boys.
“For me it makes me feel really welcomed and part of the team.”
Naiqama didn’t give away his goals for the season but did reveal that he hopes to improve the team.
“There are some goals that I want to achieve and hit this year, but I also want to add value to this team,” he said.
“Part of them are pretty big in the aspirations and goals that I want to hit, but I feel like that’s part of who I am. It has to challenge you in a way. If it’s too easy it’s not really a goal, is it?
“They are a great organisation, they’ve been very successful over the years and I want to add value to that and help wherever I can to help the team achieve the success it wants to achieve.”
