Valentine Holmes

Ex-NRL star Valentine Holmes acquired by New York Jets as NFL dream inches closer

Having spent the past three months at Florida's IMG Academy learning how to train and play American football, Holmes along with six other international athletes trialled for scouts of all 32 NFL sides last week, competing for one of four spots available among the AFC East sides.

Holmes clearly impressed scouts - with rumours mounting he was sought after by the Jets, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.

Flanagan: Holmes is Sharks No.1

Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has confirmed there will be no positional switch in the Telstra Premiership for his talented speedster. 

“The speculation about Val comes because of how good he plays on the wing, not how poorly he plays at fullback,” Flanagan told NRL.com.

Holmes scores six as Australia thumps Fiji

Holmes's stunning return came on the back of his five-try performance against Samoa last week, as the Kangaroos ran away with a 10-tries-to-one victory.

The Fijians started with intensity in the early exchanges and opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the second minute. 

Jarryd Hayne was in the thick of it early with a big hit on Billy Slater but his team conceded too many penalties to stay in the contest.

Holmes proves Test worth on wing

There's no doubting the Kangaroos look a far more formidable football team with Billy Slater in the No.1 jersey. 

They tinkered with the formation of their side last week and handed Holmes the responsibility of playing fullback against Lebanon.

Holmes's Origin II surprise

The Maroons' newest debutant will replace Oates on the wing in Game Two, with the 22-year-old Brisbane Bronco axed from the side after playing four-straight games for Queensland

Oates was one of Queensland's best in their 28-4 loss to the New South Wales Blues in Game One, running for 158 metres and scoring a try. 

Holmes finds a home at the back

The 21-year-old Townsville product has been touted as a future fullback during a three-year apprenticeship on the Cronulla wing behind first Michael Gordon then Ben Barba, but is now in the mix with Kiwi international Gerard Beale and fellow young-gun Jack Bird for the fulltime No.1 jersey moving forward.

Holmes still in doubt for Sharks

Holmes was tipped to be the man to replace Ben Barba following the premiership-winner's defection to French rugby, but a hamstring injury picked up in the trials has scuttled those plans for the time being. 

Leaving Cronulla made no sense: Holmes

Despite working out in front of NFL scouts in December, Holmes a fortnight ago re-signed with Cronulla on a two-year deal, keeping him in the NRL until the end of 2019.

PNG Loop's Breakfast Bites

Agencies instructed to provide land acquisition reports

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/agencies-instructed-provide-land-acquisition-reports-51755

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has instructed all relevant Government agencies to provide full reports on how the Manumanu land in the Central Province has been acquired.

Govt set record with national healthcare plan

Holmes signs new Sharks deal

The fullback, who made his Kangaroos debut last year, debuted for the Sharks as an 18-year-old in 2014 and has scored 38 tries in 57 games for the club.

"It's very exciting and good I was able to get it done before the start of the season," Holmes said.

"We're trying to keep the same team that won the premiership together, it's a great bunch of guys, there are some good young blokes coming through and I'm really happy with the way we are going.

"As for playing fullback, I can't wait to play there."