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He may have just done what no Kangaroos player has done in almost 100 years but Valentine Holmes insists he’s still playing out of position.
A sizzling Holmes on Friday scored the most tries in a Test by a Kangaroos player after crossing for five in their 46-0 Rugby League World Cup quarter-final rout of Samoa.
Holmes is adamant he was unaware of the record but was just stunned when front-rower David Klemmer was the man to set him up to create history.
“He knew that Matt Wright was drop-kicking, so obviously he was the opposite winger and they would’ve been down a man so he teed me before they kicked it,” Holmes said.
“He works on it a lot at training with the players through the middle with the other forwards. I didn’t think he would (pass it), but he ended up getting it to my chest.”
Holmes said he was humbled to have broken the previous record of four, held by eight players including Mat Rogers, Michael O’Connor, Gorden Tallis and Jarryd Hayne.
Kangaroos second-rower Wade Graham also racked up four a fortnight ago.
But while Holmes etched his name in the record books off the left wing, the 22-year-old believes he’s still a natural fullback.
The Cronulla star is pencilled in to wear the No.1 jumper at the Sharks, however, he could be forced to shift back to the fringes should the NRL club lure Mitchell Pearce to the Shire.
“I think in rep footy I’m a good winger, but I’d like to play fullback,” Holmes said.
“I enjoy more playing fullback. It’s not always about scoring tries. I like to set up tries and I get a bit excited about scoring tries. But obviously in a team like this, you’ve got to wait your turn.
“And we’ve got a great fullback at the moment. He’ll be here playing for a few more years. I’m very happy playing on the wing just to be in the team.”
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said Holmes’ feats were just reward for hard work.
“He put himself in that position, he runs hard every time he gets the opportunity,” he said.
“His support play was really good. He got highly involved, so he deserved the reward that he gets by putting all the effort in.”
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