Boyd keen to get back on track for Broncos
COACH Wayne Bennett has admitted Darius Boyd is below his best as the Broncos captain hit back at suggestions he must lift for Brisbane to be NRL premiership contenders.
Boyd will lead the Broncos into tonight’s final round derby against the Cowboys at 1300SMILES Stadium on the back of what has been a mixed month of form for the Kangaroos fullback.
Boyd started his first season as Broncos captain in sensational touch, staving off Billy Slater’s bid for the Test No. 1 duties with a near faultless opening to 2017.
The NRL’s most reliable fullback made just three errors in his first 14 games, including going 10 straight error-free, but in the past four matches has made five blunders and some uncharacteristically poor decisions.
Boyd, 30, was guilty of trying too hard in Brisbane’s big loss to Parramatta last week, but said he did not feel it was his sole responsibility to fire for the Broncos.
“I obviously don’t like making errors,” Boyd said.
“I had a lapse and was trying to think ahead to do something out of the ordinary to catch up points.
“It’s disappointing. You need to follow the game plan.
“We were a couple of points down and I was rushing myself instead of focusing on my job at hand.
“While I’m not happy with those errors, I don’t think I need to lift. I need to play my role in the team.
“We all have bad times. It’s not ideal this close to the semis, but we’ve got (tonight’s game) to get back on track.”
Bennett has guaranteed the off-contract Boyd will remain at the Broncos, but the regular season is on the verge of finishing and he is still yet to finalise his future.
There was a glimpse of his brilliance when he put David Mead over with a sublime cut-out pass against the Eels and Bennett said Boyd knew he could be better.
“Darius doesn’t have to go to another level, but he hasn’t been as good as he can be,” Bennett said.
“He knows that.”