Cronulla’s top fullback candidate Valentine Holmes has been ruled out of Thursday’s NRL season opener against Brisbane due to injury.

Star back Holmes, tipped to fill the fullback spot vacated by Ben Barba, has been hampered in the pre-season with a hamstring complaint.

“He 100 per cent won’t play this week … tearing a hamstring three or four weeks ago probably is just not worth the risk for him,” Sharks captain Paul Gallen told Sky Sports Radio on Tuesday.