LIVE: Billy ‘surprised’ Holmes dodged hip-drop ban

Cowboys winger and Maroons veteran Valentine Holmes is available for Origin selection after escaping a ban for a hip-drop on Tigers enforcer Isaiah Papali’i.

But Queensland coach Billy Slater has suggested he wasn’t expecting that to be the case.

In an appearance on Nine’s Wide World of Sports on Sunday morning, Slater was asked directly by panellist Gus Worland if he was surprised Holmes wasn’t banned.

“Yeah – we saw a couple of these situations throughout the weekend, some players had been sin-binned, some players had not even been penalised,” he said.

“I thought there was contributing factors in this one … (which) played a huge role.

“The fact that he’s available for selection is great for Queensland, but at the same time, there’s a few of these situations happening in the game. 

“I’m sure that the game will look at it.”