Taking centre stage
Should the Maroons choose Darius Boyd in the centres for Origin II?
FOR once, NSW had the Origin equation right. Pick your best 17 and then fit them into the team.
Billy Slater should not have been sitting on the sidelines in Origin I. Whether he’s still a better fullback than Darius Boyd is debatable, especially after Boyd’s performances for Queensland and Australia over the past year. But there should be no debate about whether both players, fully fit, can fit into the Maroons squad.
NSW had three fullbacks in its Origin I squad in James Tedesco, Jarryd Hayne and Josh Dugan and Tom Trbojevic would have been there too but for injury.
Kevin Walters will name Slater at fullback for Game Two tomorrow. And he should name Boyd in the centres. The Broncos captain seems a natural fit on the wing, where he has played all but four of his Origin games. And it wouldn’t be a big ask to shuffle Dane Gagai from the wing into the centres. But the most obvious option isn’t always the right one and it isn’t for Queensland. The Maroons need Boyd in the thick of the action. He has always been lightning quick and an attacking weapon. The biggest change in Boyd’s game has been in his defence and it’s a strength Queensland need to use next week to shut down Josh Dugan. It’s been a while since Boyd has played at centre but his tactical nous, communication skills and the benefit of Slater’s nonstop talk at the back will ensure he continues to be one of Queensland’s most effective players.