Retiring Billy Slater names the player he sees as ready to take over Australia’s No.1 jersey

AFTER 30 Tests for Australia, Billy Slater’s decision to retire at season’s end has opened the door for fresh blood in the Kangaroos’ fullback slot. And the Queensland legend has his own pick for our new No.1.

Slater has been untouchable for so long. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

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BILLY Slater has declared Valentine Holmes a genuine contender for his coveted Australia No.1 jumper as the Sharks ace plots to end the Storm champion’s glittering career on Friday night.

Slater and Holmes will wage one of the most gripping backline duels of the season when the classy fullbacks collide in the Storm-Sharks grand-final qualifier at AAMI Park.

Slater has played 30 Tests for Australia in the No.1 jumper, but his decision to retire at season’s end has opened the door for fresh blood in the Kangaroos’ fullback slot.

Slater’s legacy is in good hands. (Michael Klein)

Australia coach Mal Meninga has backed James Tedesco for their October 13 Test against New Zealand, but Slater – widely regarded as the code’s greatest fullback – says Holmes is a bona fide threat.

While Holmes has scored 22 tries in 16 representative games for Queensland and Australia as a winger, the Cronulla flyer sees himself as a fullback and can make an ominous statement by outpointing Slater.

Holmes has grown into a matchwinner. (Brett Costello)

“James Tedesco and Tom ‘Turbo’ (Trbojevic) have to be considered for Australia but I also think Valentine Holmes is in the frame,” Slater said.

“The key for the end-of-season Tests is to be playing well at the back end of the year and if you do well, particularly in the finals or grand final, you will get the nod.

“The Australian fullback spot has always been a really competitive position. My whole career I have felt there have been four or five guys who could have played for Australia in the No.1 position.

“Val Holmes is a brilliant talent, but most importantly, he is a great guy who will fit into an Australian or Origin team.

“He is always willing to learn and has a desire to get better.”

Tedesco appears to head the queue for Australia. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Slater, who plays his 318th NRL game on Friday, believes Holmes is charting the same development curve that has made the Storm custodian a 15-year match-winner.

In his formative years, Slater was renowned for his blinding pace and footwork, but the Maroons maestro worked hard to develop vision and a passing game. He sees Queensland Origin winger Holmes making similar improvements.

“Val has always been a dangerous runner but he is starting to build his game,” Slater said.

“That comes with experience and maturity and it’s something I did in evolving my game.

“You can see Val is a lot more vocal and a lot more demanding at fullback, which you need to be.

“The team relies on the fullback to do certain things, especially in defence, you have to be quite constructive but dominant with your voice.

“People say Val’s a winger but he has always wanted to play fullback. I’m glad to see the hard work he is putting in is paying off.”

Slater has been untouchable for so long. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

Australia selector Darren Lockyer says Holmes is an option for the Kangaroos’ No.1 jumper if he can match Slater’s brilliance in the preliminary final.

“At the start of the year, everyone was saying he’s a winger but I’ve been really impressed with Valentine in the last month,” he said.

“He has made a few errors but that’s part of his learning curve. He’s a real danger man and a guy who could handle fullback in the rep arena.”

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Originally published as Retiring Billy Slater names the player he sees as ready to take over Australia’s No.1 jersey