Valentine Holmes needs to keep reminding himself to back his own running game with the North Queensland star believing he must stick to his natural strengths to join the elite fullbacks in the NRL.
Holmes had to fight his way into the No.1 jersey at the Cowboys after new coach Todd Payten opted to start the season with Scott Drinkwater at fullback and shift the Queensland Origin representative to the wing where he built his career and starred last year for the Maroons.
The 25-year-old former Sharks premiership winner has started to hit top form in recent weeks, his try assist, six tackle breaks, 191 metres and line break in the loss to Sydney Roosters on Saturday a sign of what is to come as he adapts to the role.
The Maroons are set for a new-look backline this year with some players returning from injury while as many as three backline players from last year's decider will be ruled out through injury.
Playing at Bankwest Stadium, learning from legends Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns at training, Tiana Penitani is thrilled with the way women's rugby league is moving into a professional era.
Behind the scenes with JT
Maroons legend Johnathan Thurston takes you behind the scenes of the latest Ampol State of Origin advert. Head to NRL.com/tickets to witness the power of the rivalry live 4 hours ago
NSW coach Brad Fittler has confirmed Boyd Cordner won t play Origin this year despite the former captain closing in on an NRL return, opening the door for a couple of Eels to make their debut.
Cordner is expected to return to the paddock next month after missing the first half of the season due to a heavy knock suffered in last November s Ampol State of Origin series opener.
The Roosters have adopted an extra-cautious approach around his return and Fittler, discussing the make-up of his Origin I side at a media conference at NSWRL headquarters on Wednesday, said Cordner would not be considered for selection later in the series.