North Queensland and Tonga superstar Jason Taumalolo has thrown his support behind Valentine Holmes to return home to Townsville in 2020, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Cowboys have only signed the Super League Man of Steel Ben Barba on a one-year deal, allowing Holmes the opportunity to join the club long-term from 2020 onwards as fullback.
"I'd love to see him there, he's a Townsville boy, and what he has been doing at the Sharks is nothing short of freakish,'' Taumalolo told smh.com.au.
"I'm sure North Queensland would love to have him back home."
Taumalolo and Holmes will face off on Saturday for Tonga and Australia respectively in the first ever Test between the two nations, with Australia sure to be wary of the underrated Tongan side after their narrow 26-24 loss to New Zealand last Saturday.
"He's one of those players [Tonga will] need to try and contain because he can turn nothing into something. His speed and freakish ability to create line breaks, it's a huge weapon," Taumalolo said.
Holmes scored his 15th try in just 12 Tests for Australia against the Kiwis on Saturday, playing on the wing while James Tedesco took the helm at fullback.
If he is tempted to the Cowboys it will be a huge coup for North Queensland, with Michael Morgan, Taumalolo and Holmes sure to be an extremely potent combination even with the absence of legend Johnathon Thurston.
It is understood that Cronulla have tabled Holmes a five-year deal worth upwards of $4 million, with the young star yet to commit.
