Slater set to reclaim No.1 jumper for Maroons

AUSTRALIA custodian Darius Boyd is facing the axe as Queensland fullback for State of Origin I.

Australia’s fullback kingpin will run out in tonight’s Anzac Test against New Zealand confronting the heartbreak of losing his beloved Maroons No.1 jumper later this month.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters is ready to make the toughest call of his career by recalling Billy Slater and shifting Boyd to the wing for the series opener on May 31. Walters has been agonising over the Boyd-Slater dilemma for months, to the point where the Maroons coach even considered deploying the Storm veteran on the wing.

But Slater’s sizzling two-try display against the Dragons last week convinced Walters the 33-year-old can reprise his role as Queensland’s matchwinning fullback.

Boyd can return serve with a bumper performance against the Kiwis tonight, but Slater will be Queensland’s No.1 if he maintains form.

“If Billy is in the side, he will be the fullback,” Walters said.

“He’s actually surprised a lot of us with the way he has come back and he has put himself right back in the frame.

“Darius might be a bit disappointed if we moved him back to the wing, but he’s a team man and we need to consider what’s best for the team.

“We could possibly put Billy on interchange, but to be honest Billy is not a bench player and he won’t be on the wing.

“The selectors may have a different view, but Billy would be wasted on the bench, that’s my opinion.”

Walters accepts Boyd is Queensland’s fullback incumbent, producing the best campaign of his career last season.

But Walters is mindful it was only Slater’s series of shoulder injuries that opened the door for Boyd.