Who needs Greg Inglis when you have Latrell Mitchell?
Mitchell's Australian backline partner Valentine Holmes has paid the Sydney Roosters' NRL sensation the ultimate compliment, comparing him to the Queensland skipper.
Inglis was set to captain the national side for the first time in Tests against New Zealand and Tonga, however was stood down after being charged with drink-driving.
Inglis' absence compounds the experience drain being felt by Mal Meninga's side after the representative retirements of Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith.
But Holmes said Mitchell shared the same superstar qualities as Inglis, having achieved almost everything in the game this year with a Roosters premiership, a NSW Origin win and his Test debut.
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"He's upbeat and I love that about him," Holmes said.
"He's very confident. That's why he's been the best centre in the game, I think.
"I'm very happy for him to make his debut at such a young age. I'm sure he'll do well. Playing outside him, I feel like I'm playing outside Inglis again."
Mitchell and Holmes will form a formidable left-side combination which oozes size, class, speed and power.
James Tedesco has locked up the No.1 jumper for this tour, pushing Holmes onto the wing but the Cronulla flyer hasn't given up the fight.
He starred for the Kangaroos on the wing in last year's World Cup, crossing for 12 tries in six games - also famously 11 four-pointers against Samoa and Fiji.
At the start of 2018, he had to convince Sharks coach Shane Flanagan he was the club's first-choice No.1 but now has designs on earning the national fullback spot.
"I've got a lot to work on in my position," Holmes said.
"I've had an okay season this year.
"I've got a lot to work on to be like Billy Slater, to be like James Tedesco. I'm still young and hopeful I can push myself there."
