Valentine Holmes apology: Cowboys star breaks silence after white bag scandal

Valentine Holmes issued a public mea culpa for the white bag scandal on Tuesday, apologising to his family and the club on the same day he retained his Australian jersey.

Valentine Holmes. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty

North Queensland star Valentine Holmes issued a public mea culpa for the white bag scandal on Tuesday, apologising to his family and the club on the same day he retained his Australian jersey thanks to the loyalty of Australian coach Mal Meninga.

Holmes was named alongside Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr in a 21-man squad for the Pacific tournament, although the Cowboys star will miss the opening game after being handed a one-match ban by the NRL.

Holmes was sanctioned after posting an image on social media of him holding a white bag between his teeth during Mad Monday celebrations, leading to an integrity unit investigation and raising the ire of his club.

His sanctions have now been officially handed down, with Holmes suspended for one game and issued with fines totalling $100,000 - $50,000 of which was suspended with the $50,000 payable now, inclusive of the $25,000 fine issued by the NRL.

“I am deeply sorry for the damaging effect my decisions have had on the club and my family,” Holmes said.

Valentine Holmes issued an apology. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty

“My actions, while not illegal, were immature and irresponsible. I am determined to restore the confidence and trust of the club as well as our stakeholders, members and fans.”

Holmes was originally issued with a breach notice by the NRL two weeks ago and given the chance to respond, the penalties leaving him on the sidelines when the Kangaroos meet Samoa at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.

Addo-Carr’s immediate future has also been under the spotlight after he was involved in a wild brawl at the Koori Knockout tournament last weekend.

Addo-Carr is yet to hear his fate, although ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys indicated a decision was likely to be handed down Wednesday at the commission meeting.

The Bulldogs flyer has been cleared by NSW Police after they referred the incident to the NSW Rugby League without laying any charges.

However, that is far from the end of the matter given the NRL has launched their own inquiries into the incident. It is understood they have interviewed Addo-Carr as part of the process and a decision is imminent.

Valentine Holmes with a white bag in his mouth.

“I think hopefully they will get statements from everyone tomorrow and be in a position possibly at the commission meeting to advise,” V’landys said.

Meninga said he had spoken to both Addo-Carr and Holmes, walking away comfortable that both were in the right frame of mind to represent their country.

“Val openly admits he is an idiot,” Meninga said.

“Simple as that. Speaking to Josh he said there was nothing in it. I trust them.”

Meninga and V’landys also went into bat for Latrell Mitchell after he took part in the Koori Knockout despite being ruled out of the Pacific tournament with a finger injury.

“The club has explained to us the reasons why,” V’landys said.

“They believe the knockout is nowhere near as intense as a Kangaroos match, which is 100 percent correct. It is certainly nowhere near the intensity.

Valentine Holmes has been selected in Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos squad. Picture: NRL Imagery/Stephen Gaunt

“The club didn’t want him to be considered and we respected the club’s wishes. We take that on face value - there are different intensities in the game and he is probably better off not risking that injury in an international game.

“He is very passionate about that knockout and he is very passionate about indigenous promotions, and he is a great ambassador. A fantastic ambassador and I admire him for what he does. So it was no surprise to me.”

Meninga added: “I was a bit surprised but I think the club gave him permission to do that. Knowing Latrell, he loves the Koori Knockout, he always gets involved, he always wants to be part of it all, very proud First Nations person.

“Off the back of the World Cup, it was a pretty torrid year from an NRL perspective. He has had a bit of bad luck this year and I think the rest is going to do him the world of good.”