Good enough to play for Australia.
Yet not worthy of a Queensland jersey.
Maroons coach Kevin Walters admitted snubbed Test winger Valentine Holmes was one of the hard luck stories after announcing his squad for next week's State of Origin series opener.
While veteran fullback Billy Slater was the surprise big name omission, Walters' call to overlook incumbent Kangaroos flyer Holmes also raised eyebrows.
Just weeks ago Holmes featured in Australia's Test win over New Zealand in Canberra.
However, Walters could not find a Queensland backline vacancy for the Cronulla star.
"We are blessed in a way to have a lot of talent but unfortunately there wasn't enough room for Valentine in game one," Walters told QRL Media.
"He played for Australia a few weeks ago.
"But he is someone who will no doubt wear the maroon jersey at some stage, if not this year, then in the coming years."
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga had called for Holmes to replace Brisbane's Corey Oates on the left wing.
And centre Justin O'Neill of North Queensland was also under pressure to hold his spot after an indifferent NRL return from a hamstring injury.
But Walters opted to play the loyalty card for his backline incumbents O'Neill, Oates and Newcastle's Dane Gagai.
Melbourne's Will Chambers replaced veteran centre Greg Inglis (knee).
"He's been in great touch with the Sharks, won a premiership last year, no stranger to big games," Walters said of Holmes.
"But, and I explained it to Valentine, the two guys we've selected on the wing last year (Oates, Gagai) were outstanding.
"If you play well for Queensland you often get rewarded and that's the case with our guys."
Former Queensland playmaker Ben Ikin said Holmes was still paying the price for his 2016 Emerging Origin camp gaffe.
Holmes was among eight players who copped a 12-month Origin ban for breaking curfew at last year's camp.
His exile let the likes of O'Neill and Oates leapfrog him in the Maroons backline pecking order.
"He's still paying for that mistake he made last year at the Emerging Origin camp," Ikin told Fox Sports TV.
"He missed out on what would have been his first Origin berth last year because of that silly mistake and Oates came in last year and was pretty damn good."
Ikin admitted it would now be hard for Holmes to force his way into the Maroons backline.
"Sure Valentine Holmes played in the Kangaroos side but Queensland have played the loyalty card again," he said.
"You could easily put Gagai in centre for O'Neill and put Holmes on the wing but Queensland pick and stick."
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