Valentine Holmes Set to Defend Queensland's Right Edge against NSW Star Latrell Mitchell
Key Highlights :
Valentine Holmes looks set to defend on Queensland's right edge against Blues star Latrell Mitchell, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow moved to the Maroons' left edge. Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans has put his foot down after the same edge set to defend NSW superstar Latrell Mitchell was exposed by Queensland Cup strugglers Ipswich in a training run.
The Maroons have shuffled their centres for Wednesday's State of Origin opener in Adelaide, Valentine Holmes moved to the right side with winger Selwyn Cobbo and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow set to play on the left edge. Holmes' edge copped a Cherry-Evans Origin bake on Thursday when the Jets, 0-9 this season in the second-tier comp, ran in two tries down the left wing in an opposed session. Latrell Mitchell will be the centre lurking there at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday and Cherry-Evans made sure his men were aware of the standard required.
"He's just (told us to) do your job, make your tackles," prop Lindsay Collins said on Saturday. "He does expect high standards, as does everyone in this team. "You're at this pinnacle of football. The opposition, if you take a second, a break, they'll find it. You have to hold yourself to a high standard."
Maroons bench forward Jai Arrow, a South Sydney teammate of Mitchell's, said Cherry-Evans' message had been received. "It was just us being too eager ... more than just worrying about our jobs and what we need to do to be effective," he said. "I thought we readjusted today and we were really good, so hopefully in our next big session we ice a few things leading into captain's run and into the big game."
Mitchell missed last year's 2-1 series loss and Arrow expects him to return to the Origin arena a different player. "He has taken on more of a leadership role this year at the club with the way he is helping the younger boys and the footy he is playing as well," Arrow said. "He has put it on his shoulders that he wants to be consistent week in, week out."
Valentine Holmes will need to be at his best to contain Mitchell on Wednesday night. Holmes is a proven Origin performer and will be looking to shut down Mitchell's attacking prowess. The Maroons will need to be disciplined in their defence and take away time and space from Mitchell. They will also need to get up in his face and force errors, or slow him down with their tackling.
It's set up to be an intriguing battle between two of the best players in the NRL and it will be interesting to see how Valentine Holmes and the Maroons handle the challenge. Wednesday night's Origin opener is sure to be a cracker and the result could go a long way to deciding who takes out the series.
