Cook Islands fullback Valentine Holmes foresees a bright future at St George Illawarra and he wants to earn the right to be part of it.
The 31-year-old will experience a full-circle moment when he plays in the World Cup clash against Australia on Saturday night in Townsville, where he was born and played his juniors dreaming of a career that has scaled great heights.
Holmes won two World Cups with the Kangaroos in 2017 and 2022 and will play just his second Test for the Aitu after a career that led him to the 2016 premiership with Cronulla, multiple State of Origin series wins for Queensland and 21 Tests for Australia.
The 2026 season was not Holmes’ best for the last-placed Dragons but next year the arrival of Scott Drinkwater, Connor Watson, Phil Sami, Keaon Koloamatangi, Luke Metcalf and Kodi Nikorima has him salivating for success.
Holmes becomes a free agent on November 1 but wants to be part of the Dragons' renaissance in 2027 and beyond.
"I know I am contracted for next year but this year probably wasn't the best personally and as a club," he said.
"I feel like your actions speak for you. I am all about now. I want to be playing good footy to earn my contract, not just because I played a certain amount of games.
"I want to prove I am worthy to play in the NRL."
The Dragons already have some of the most talented young forwards in the game in Hamish Stewart, Toby and Ryan Couchman, Dylan Egan and Loko Pasifiki-Tonga.
“It is definitely a bright future and it would be good to be part of it,” Holmes said.
“We’ve managed to snag a few elite players who are running around for Australia and New Zealand now.”
Holmes and the Cook Islands team received a heartfelt reception from fans at Townsville Airport this week when greeted with a traditional island welcome.
A cultural dinner night at Kirwan State High School, where Holmes was once a student, was a homecoming to savour as all the players addressed the Cook Islands community in attendance.
"Seeing all these little kids, my family and all these people so happy to see our Cook Islands national team and hear who we are and where we come from is special,” he said.
Holmes, whose mother Lucy was born in the Cook Islands, knew when he played his last game for Australia in 2023 that his international future was with the Aitu.
A broken leg and shoulder surgery the past two years put his dream on hold, until now.
"I always had a goal to play 20 Tests for Australia and I managed to do that. I knew for the past couple of years I wanted to do this,” he said.
"It is the first time the two countries have played each other and it is in Townsville where I was born and raised and where my mum and dad still are. The fact that I have played for Australia as well, it is like it is meant to be.
"The emotions will be high when I am running out."
