Advertisement

'Forced to play': Anger over devastating Valentine Holmes injury

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·3-min read
Valentine Holmes, pictured here after injuring his ankle against the Roosters.
Valentine Holmes looks on after injuring his ankle against the Roosters. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Jamie Soward says the Cowboys only have themselves to blame for Valentine Holmes’ devastating injury after he was ruled out for up to 10 weeks on Tuesday.

North Queensland will be without Holmes for at least two months after the NRL star underwent ankle surgery.

‘NO CLUE’: Phil Gould erupts over $2 million NRL disaster

‘SH*T SANDWICH’: NRL world reacts to Dean Pay quitting

Holmes had an arthroscopy on his left ankle on Monday and after the probe revealed the ankle syndesmosis was unstable he had the ligament surgically repaired.

The 24-year-old will spend between eight to 10 weeks recovering before he can return to league action for the Cowboys.

The news is a blow for Paul Green's struggling team, which has slipped to 12th on the ladder after last weekend's heavy loss to the Sydney Roosters in Townsville.

Holmes lasted just 41 minutes in the 42-16 defeat before aggravating the ankle he'd first injured the Warriors in round five.

Despite knowing his prize recruit wasn’t at full fitness, Green defended playing Holmes following the loss to the Roosters.

“He got jammed up in a tackle as well which didn't help given he had a sore ankle to start with,” Green said.

“He got passed last week to play and pulled up good.”

Valentine Holmes, pictured here in action for the Cowboys in the NRL.
Valentine Holmes runs the ball against the Sydney Roosters. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Jamie Soward’s scathing response

NRL star Soward was gobsmacked by the devastating injury news, saying the Cowboys “forced” Holmes to play.

On Thursday night Soward said Holmes “shouldn’t be playing”.

“They pushed him to the wing to protect him and now it’s probably worse. I just don’t get it,” he tweeted.

“Players always want to play. Even when injured I always wanted to play.

“At the end of the day a STRONG coach will do what’s best for the player and not worry about the team because he knows playing a guy injured isn’t for everyone.”

Holmes' absence is the last thing the Cowboys need before Sunday's game against in-form Penrith with captain Michael Morgan (shoulder) also sidelined.

Holmes is in the first year of a six-year contract with the Cowboys, reportedly worth $5.8 million.

with AAP