NRL 2024: How Valentine Holmes and Murray Taulagi can nullify Sharks threat

Valentine Holmes knows exactly what it takes to beat the Sharks in an elimination final. Find out why his partnership with great mate Murray Taulagi will be key to the left edge’s success.

Valentine Holmes and Murray Taulagi celebrate a try. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Valentine Holmes knows exactly what it takes to beat the Sharks in an elimination final.

In fact he’s been on both sides of the result, tasting bitter defeat in extra time at the hands of the Cowboys in 2017 before joining North Queensland and exacting the same heartbreaking punishment on his former club with a matchwinning field goal in 2022.

If it comes down to a single point again on Friday night then Cowboys fans will hope for better execution than their most recent golden point showing with Manly, when North Queensland missed five of its six field goal attempts only to be defeated by Daly Cherry-Evans’ second shot.

Holmes said he would be ready to nail his moment if it comes.

“I always practise no matter what, but I’m hoping it doesn’t get down to that situation, it’s a pretty scary situation to be in and it can really go either way,” Holmes said.

Valentine Holmes and edge partner Murray Taulagi will be set a tough task against the Sharks, matched up against the power of Siosifa Talakai – or Jesse Ramien – and Sione Katoa with dangerous backrower Briton Nikora feeding them the ball. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“You really have to nail your opportunities. I know it’s going to be close but I’m hoping that we can maybe win by a field goal before it gets to golden point.

“They’ve been a really good team for the past few years, I feel like every year they’re up around the top four and they’ve been playing some good footy.

“It’s always a tough game and a close one, we always seem to catch them in the finals and we’re expecting a big one from them and it should be a cracker.”

Holmes and edge partner Murray Taulagi will be set a tough task against the Sharks, matched up against the power of Siosifa Talakai – or Jesse Ramien – and Sione Katoa with dangerous backrower Briton Nikora feeding them the ball.

Briton Nikora scores a try during the NRL Qualifying Final match between Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The Dragons-bound centre said his strong chemistry with the Samoan winger would be essential to shutting down the opposition’s threat.

“It’s something that has been going on for a few years now, since ‘22 when I first moved to the centres,” Holmes said.

“We’re very close. We back each other a lot at training and in games – I guess when you play alongside each other for that long and at that level, you kind of just know what to expect from each other defensively and with the ball.

“It’s obviously going to be a shame for that to split up next year, but hopefully we can finish on a high this year.”

TAULAGI ON THE VERGE OF HALF-CENTURY

Murray Taulagi of the Cowboys celebrates scoring a try during the round 27 NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys at Accor Stadium, on September 07, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Murray Taulagi is one try away from his NRL half-century as he looks to extend North Queensland’s season on Friday night.

After scoring a round 1 spectacular, Taulagi endured a tough start to the season with just three tries through the first 20 rounds.

But a four-pointer in his comeback from a persistent hamstring injury in round 21 sparked a return to form that has seen the 25-year-old winger score eight tries in his past seven appearances including a current three-game scoring streak.

Taulagi said he was determined to do everything he could to play again next week in a preliminary final.

“We’ve got another week to survive and then another couple of weeks until the grand final. We’ve worked so hard and for so long just to be where we’re at, and I think we’re all very stoked,” Taulagi said.

“In finals you have no room for error, and for myself I just want to leave everything out there on the field and do whatever it takes.”

Murray Taulagi scores a try against Melbourne. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Taulagi stunned the rugby league world last year when he turned his back on the Kangaroos to represent his heritage by pledging allegiance to Samoa.

The Queensland Maroons star debuted for Australia in the rugby league world cup the previous year, scoring two tries in two appearances, but last year he became a key player for Toa Samoa – even scoring against the Kangaroos in a 28-6 defeat in Townsville.

Taulagi revealed he would again put his hand up for his island nation if his body is up for the challenge.

“My body is a bit banged up and bruised at the moment and I want to see how it goes after this finals series, so I’m still yet to make up my mind if I’ll play,” Taulagi said.

“But if it does come down to what team I do play for, it’ll definitely be Samoa.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: How Valentine Holmes and Murray Taulagi can nullify Sharks threat