The Kangaroos will be without another superstar outside back for next year’s rugby league World Cup after Valentine Holmes confirmed that he would represent the Cook Islands at the 2026 showpiece event.
Holmes won two World Cups with Australia and famously scored six tries against Fiji in the semi-finals back in 2017.
But the 30-year-old has pledged his allegiance to the Cook Islands after they qualified for the World Cup with a dominant win over South Africa earlier this month.
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Holmes wasn’t able to play in that match due to the shoulder injury that ended his season at the Dragons, but he was able to be around the group as part of Karmichael Hunt’s coaching staff.
“I made that decision (to play for the Cook Islands) a while ago, so it’s time to give back to my mum’s island,” he told the NewsWire.
“Everyone in my family was proud to see me back there training with them, so it wasn’t a big decision for me.
“I was with the Cook Islands and joined them in camp, but I couldn’t make it to that game because I had other commitments.
“It makes me feel old saying that I was in the coaching staff, but it was more that I was helping in case they needed me with anything to support the outside backs.”
Holmes led the way with 12 tries at the 2017 World Cup and would’ve been in the mix to play for Australia again at next year’s event.
Instead, he joins the likes of Payne Haas and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who will represent Samoa next year, with all eyes on Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to see if he follows suit.
“I’m very grateful that I got to represent Australia because I was born and raised here,” Holmes said.
“Playing for Australia and Queensland were two of my biggest goals growing up, so it was awesome to do that.
“I’m very lucky that I’ve been able to have the career that I’ve had so far, so if I’m grateful enough to get the chance to play for another smaller nation like the Cook Islands, why not do it and make my mum proud.”
The Cook Islands have several NRL stars locked in for the event, with Sharks centre KL Iro looming as their strike weapon.
But they’ll need everyone they can get their hands on with matches against Fiji, New Zealand and Australia coming up next October.
“There’s a lot of Cook Island talent around, but there’s a bit of an obstacle with getting the all clear for some people to play because it can be hard for people in the NRL to find their grandmother’s birth certificate,” Holmes said.
“It would be great if we can get a really strong team together because I thought they were great in that win over South Africa to qualify for the World Cup.”
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Holmes has a long way to go before he can worry about the World Cup, with the veteran centre keen to get back for the Dragons after a serious shoulder injury prematurely ended his first year with the club.
He looked good on the golf course on Friday morning but still has a few things to tick off before he can resume full contact work at training.
“I’ve been able to play some golf which is great,” he said.
“I’m back training with the team but I can’t do full contact yet – that’s probably another month away.
“Everything else has been great. Rehab has been going really well and the coaches have been looking after me. It’s been really good to get back after missing the final couple of months of the season and then the internationals.”
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