Holmes in no hurry for Test No.1 - or to resolve club future

Valentine Holmes is prepared to bide his time before wanting a shot at the Australian No.1 jersey and admits he still has a lot to learn to become one of the game's premier fullbacks.

The Cronulla superstar, who is set to be Australia's first choice goalkicker in Saturday night's Test against New Zealand at Mt Smart Stadium, has made no secret of his desire to play fullback in the NRL.

However, he is happy to remain on the wing for now with James Tedesco set to make his debut for the Kangaroos in the custodian role on Saturday night against New Zealand.

The pair were among the leading players in the NRL this season, with Tedesco winning the RLPA Player's Champion award and Brad Fittler Medal as NSW's best in State of Origin, while Holmes scored 22 tries at fullback for the Sharks.

 Holmes said playing fullback would be an expectation if he remains at Cronulla or heads to another club in 2020, with North Queensland believed to be keen on his services, but he acknowledged that Tedesco was likely to be the long term Test No.1 after the retirement of Billy Slater.

"It is always my dream and my goal to see myself as a fullback but in saying that I am versatile and it is good to be able to play a number of positions so you can make teams like this," Holmes said.

"There are a lot of good fullbacks out there who can only play fullback and they miss out. I am only young and Teddy has had a great season so I have got a lot of work to do to be able to hold that spot.

"I know I had an OK season this year but I have got a lot to work on to be like Billy Slater or to be like James Tedesco. I am only young and I have got a few years to work on that and hopefully then I can push myself forward."

The 23-year-old Queenslander will play on the left wing for the Kangaroos and he said he was looking forward to partnering with Sydney Roosters and NSW centre Latrell Mitchell.

"He is very confident and he has shown why he is going to be the best centre in the game, I think," Holmes said.

"To play outside him I feel like I am playing outside Greg Inglis again and I am sure he is going to be damaging."

After scoring 11 tries in two matches at one stage during last year's World Cup, Holmes said he enjoyed playing on the wing for Australia and was just happy to be in the team.

"This is the pinnacle of the sport and you always want to represent your country in whatever you do," he said.

"That [playing fullback] is always going to be in the back of my mind but I just want to hold down my spot, keep wearing the green and gold jersey and play in any rep team I can. I want to try and stay consistent with making these teams, whether that is playing wing, on the bench, centre, fullback or wherever."

While rival clubs will be able to begin negotiating with him after November 1, Holmes said he was in no hurry to make a decision on his future – although he admitted a return home to North Queensland was appealing.

With the Cowboys having signed Super League Man of Steel Ben Barba for one year only, there is an opportunity for Holmes to join the club in 2020.

"I will be overseas in November but when I get back I will talk about it all and see how I go," he said.

"It is obviously a massive decision for me and my family and for my future so I don’t want to rush into a decision.

"You have got to set yourself up, you are not in this game forever so you have got to make the most of it and then it obviously comes down to family.

"I have got family back home, my partner has family back home and she is getting a bit homesick but then you have got to look after yourself future wise with money so it is going to be a hard decision."