Holmes surges into Origin contention

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CRONULLA teenager Valentine Holmes is being scouted by Queensland's State of Origin selectors as they sort through options in their unsettled back five for next month's series opener.

The selectors and coach Mal Meninga are determined to keep faith with the beaten side of 2014, but injuries to Billy Slater and Justin Hodges have had them tracking the form of 11-gamer Holmes, who has played wing and fullback for the Sharks.

Slater is expected to be out for at least three games more with a shoulder injury, but has demonstrated in the past he is a fast healer.

Hodges is in contention to return to the Broncos side to meet St George Illawarra on Friday at Kogarah after missing the past two matches with a hamstring strain.

Valentine Holmes is a bolter for the Maroons. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

Will Chambers can play centre for the Maroons if Hodges, 33, cannot make it to Queensland's May 25 clash with NSW in Sydney.

To further the uncertainty over Queensland's three-quarterline, try-hungry left-winger Darius Boyd is making a steady recovery from an Achilles injury.

Chambers is a strong favourite to retain his right wing berth after a safe and constructive Origin debut there in Game Three last year.

But the Queensland selection panel have been impressed with Holmes in his 11-game NRL career and their previous knowledge of him as a Queensland under-20s standout.

Wet weather for Cronulla's win over Newcastle on Friday limited Holmes to one chance, which he turned into a Sharks try with acceleration and a well-weighted kick ahead for Luke Lewis.

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The Townsville product, who does not turn 20 until July, is not overly big for an Origin winger at 185cm and 87kg.

But Holmes' touches of class, which also saw him selected for the Junior Kangaroos last year, have caught the eye of many of the men who matter and may bestow an Origin blooding earlier than most considered likely.

Bronco Dale Copley lost some ground in the Origin selection states through no fault of his own when injured last month.

After his breakout 2014 season for Brisbane, Copley was filed away by selectors as one for the future even though Chambers was chosen ahead of him.

Copley had a strong defensive game against Roosters and NSW centre Michael Jennings while deputising for Hodges at right centre in Brisbane's golden-point win on Friday.

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