Darius still the No.1 Brisbane gun in 2018

THE Darius Boyd debate is over with Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett and his assistant Kevin Walters yesterday declaring the Broncos skipper will start the premiership in the No.1 jumper.

The development comes as Broncos legend Darren Lockyer, who made a successful conversion from fullback to five-eighth, warned of the dangers of moving Boyd to the halves against his will.

When he signed a four-year extension last October, Boyd said he was open-minded about a switch to the halves.

The scenario gathered momentum during the week when former Broncos skipper Gorden Tallis called for Boyd to be handed the No.6 jumper amid concerns over his hamstring injury battle and Kodi Nikorima at halfback.

But on the eve of Brisbane’s first serious trial hitout against the Titans tonight in Toowoomba, Bennett and Walters confirmed Boyd will be at fullback.

Queensland Origin coach Walters has been tasked with structuring Brisbane’s offence this season and says Broncos hierarchy have no plans to embark on a Lockyer-style experiment.

“There’s no immediate plans around moving Darius,” said Walters, who will be Brisbane’s caretaker coach tonight at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

“Ultimately it will be Wayne’s call, he’s the boss, but we’ve had no discussion about moving Darius.

“He is one of the elite players of the game at fullback and with the way the Broncos play, Darius suits our structures.

“I thought Jason Demetriou (now Brisbane’s defence coach) did a great job with Brisbane’s offence last year, so I don’t see the need to change anything.”

Champion fullback Lockyer moved into the frontline in 2004 as Bennett looked to solve a playmaking crisis.

The tactical move proved a masterstroke.