Cronulla have received a massive boost with the re-signing of young superstar Valentine Holmes.
The club announced on Monday afternoon that Holmes had signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him in the black, white and blue until the end of the 2019 season with an option of a further year.
Despite the positive news of his re-signing, Holmes is battling to be fit for the season opener against Brisbane at Southern Cross Group Stadium on March 2 after suffering a hamstring injury in the trial loss to the Broncos on Saturday night.
The 21-year-old suffered a grade two hamstring strain and will be out for up to four weeks, meaning he will miss Cronulla’s World Club Challenge match against Wigan.
With the loss of Ben Barba, Holmes said he looked forward to becoming Cronulla’s No.1.
“It’s very exciting and good I was able to get [the new contract] done before the start of the season,” he 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.”
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan was delighted with the retention of Holmes.
“Val is a representative standard player and someone destined for a long career in the NRL,” he said.
“It’s great for the club, our members and fans and for the corporate partners to know that he will be here for many years to come.
“He just felt his hamstring grab a bit [during the trial] when he jumped and over-extended in trying to score. It’s possibly a three to four-week injury which means he is unlikely to play in the World Club Challenge.”
Holmes equaled the long-standing Sharks single-season try scoring record last season before going on to play four matches for the Kangaroos on the Four Nations tour.
